Helix Unveils Model Predicting 12-Month Weight Loss on Semaglutide in Diverse Groups

Helix, a prominent entity in population genomics and precision health, presented groundbreaking research at the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) 2024 Annual Meeting. The research introduced a pioneering precision effectiveness model, predicting the 12-month weight loss response to semaglutide in various populations.

The team at Helix discovered that integrating a polygenic risk score with co-morbid factors, such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension, could forecast the weight loss response to semaglutide over a year. Among users of the 2.4mg semaglutide dose, individuals in the highest quintile of the developed score were about twice as likely to achieve a 10% weight loss compared to those in the lowest quintile.

Dr. Matthew Levy, a senior research scientist at Helix, highlighted the transformative potential of this model in precision medicine for semaglutide-treated patients. By offering dosage-specific weight loss expectations and predicting patient responses, the model aims to ensure the most suitable treatment from the outset. This model could significantly aid patients and healthcare providers by identifying those most likely to benefit from semaglutide, improving decision-making about obesity treatments, estimating expected weight loss, and guiding dosage to balance weight loss goals with potential side effects.

The research leveraged data from the Helix Research Network (HRN), the largest and fastest-growing precision clinical research network, which includes top health systems across North America like the Medical University of South Carolina, HealthPartners, and Renown Health. This network, rich with data, allows life science researchers to conduct innovative studies across various therapeutic areas such as cardiometabolic diseases, neurodegenerative conditions, and autoimmune disorders, thereby propelling drug discovery and development.

Dr. William Lee, Helix's chief science officer, emphasized the significance of the Helix Research Network in enhancing precision health. The network's comprehensive clinicogenomics dataset enables the extraction of meaningful insights and fosters collaboration with partners. This collaboration generates insights that will influence the future of medicine, guiding more effective, personalized treatments for a wide range of diseases. Dr. Lee expressed excitement about supporting groundbreaking research that could bring transformative changes to patients worldwide, helping to redefine healthcare.

Additional research presented at ASHG 2024 showcased the extensive application of HRN data. One study highlighted the importance of pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing, which involves referencing a patient's genotype before prescribing medications. A retrospective study of the blood clot prevention drug clopidogrel revealed that 25% of individuals prescribed this medication had a dosage mismatch based on their genotype. Among these, 12% were poor metabolizers who should not have been prescribed clopidogrel, and 25% of these poor metabolizers experienced thrombosis after starting the medication. These adverse outcomes could have been avoided with prior PGx testing to assess metabolism.

Another study introduced a method to predict future cardiovascular disease risk. Lipoprotein a (Lp(a)) serves as a useful predictor of cardiovascular disease, but consistent and accurate measurements can be challenging. Helix developed a method to estimate the number of KIV-2 repeats within an exome profile, which, combined with a genetic risk score, can predict Lp(a). This method is particularly significant for non-European ancestries, where past risk score methods have been less effective.

Other research presented at ASHG included studies on the autoimmune population within the Helix Research Network, identifying individuals at low disease risk using genetics, and grouping rare coding variants to determine their impact on protein structure.

Helix continues to lead in population genomics and precision health, enabling health systems, life sciences companies, and payers to integrate genomic data into patient care and therapeutic development swiftly. The Helix Research Network remains a trailblazer in genomics research, advancing scientific and health insights with over a million committed patients across North America.