Myriad Genetics Announces Study Results Show Patients with Depression had Fewer Psychiatric Hospitalizations after GeneSight Testing

Rhea-AI Summary

Myriad Genetics (NASDAQ: MYGN) announced positive results from a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology regarding their GeneSight® Psychotropic Test for major depressive disorder patients. The study revealed:

• An almost 40% relative reduction in prescriptions with significant gene-drug interactions
• 39% relative reduction in psychiatric-related hospitalizations
• 29% relative reduction in overall hospitalizations

Patients switched to medications with no/moderate gene-drug interactions showed a 44% reduction in psychiatric hospitalizations and 34% reduction in overall hospitalizations. The study suggests GeneSight helps healthcare providers better identify effective medications and reduce trial-and-error prescribing.

Positive

• 40% reduction in prescriptions with significant gene-drug interactions
• 39% reduction in psychiatric-related hospitalizations
• 44% reduction in psychiatric hospitalizations for patients switched to better-matched medications
• Demonstrated clinical utility in reducing healthcare resource utilization

Negative

• None.

Insights

Medical Research Specialist

GeneSight test shows significant reductions in psychiatric hospitalizations for depression patients, validating its clinical utility in personalizing medication selection.

The newly published study in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology demonstrates substantial clinical benefits of Myriad's GeneSight pharmacogenomic test in patients with major depressive disorder. The data shows a 39% relative reduction in psychiatric-related hospitalizations following testing - a meaningful outcome measure in psychiatric care. Notably, patients whose medications were switched to those with no/moderate gene-drug interactions experienced an even larger 44% reduction in psychiatric hospitalizations.

These results address a critical challenge in depression treatment: the trial-and-error approach to medication selection. The 40% reduction in prescriptions with significant gene-drug interactions indicates clinicians are actively incorporating genetic information into treatment decisions. This represents a shift toward precision psychiatry, where treatment selection is informed by a patient's genetic profile rather than population-level response rates.

The hospitalization reduction metrics are particularly significant as they represent objective outcomes rather than subjective assessments. Psychiatric hospitalizations typically occur during severe depression episodes or after treatment failures, so their reduction suggests improved treatment efficacy. While the study doesn't address symptom improvement directly, hospitalization avoidance serves as a proxy for better disease management and patient stabilization. The real-world nature of this study complements controlled clinical trials and provides evidence of effectiveness in standard clinical practice.

Healthcare Industry Analyst

GeneSight study demonstrates clinical value through reduced hospitalizations, strengthening Myriad's position in precision medicine and supporting potential market growth.

This peer-reviewed publication provides powerful clinical validation for Myriad Genetics' GeneSight test, demonstrating tangible benefits that could drive adoption among stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem. The 39% relative reduction in psychiatric hospitalizations represents a compelling value proposition for healthcare systems and insurers, who bear the substantial costs of inpatient psychiatric care. Similarly, the 29% reduction in all-cause hospitalizations suggests broader healthcare utilization benefits beyond just mental health services.

From a commercial perspective, these results address a critical barrier to adoption for molecular diagnostic tests: demonstrating real-world clinical utility. The data showing that providers changed prescribing practices (with 40% fewer patients receiving medications with significant gene-drug interactions) confirms that the test influences clinical decision-making - an essential factor for reimbursement considerations.

The inclusion of a practicing psychiatrist's testimonial highlighting patient hope and satisfaction adds a qualitative dimension to the quantitative results. This dual value proposition - improved clinical outcomes alongside enhanced patient experience - strengthens GeneSight's market positioning in the competitive precision medicine landscape.

For Myriad specifically, these results align with their strategic focus on expanding their precision medicine portfolio. While the immediate revenue impact isn't quantified, this evidence strengthens GeneSight's value proposition to providers, patients, and payers - all key decision-makers in diagnostic test adoption. The reduced hospitalization rates provide concrete metrics that can support coverage decisions and clinical guideline inclusion.

Study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology

SALT LAKE CITY, April 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Myriad Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MYGN), a leader in molecular diagnostics testing and precision medicine, today announced that the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology has published a study showing those with major depressive disorder had fewer psychiatric hospitalizations after taking the GeneSight^® Psychotropic Test.

“Millions of Americans face major depressive disorder each year, and the GeneSight test provides genetic insights that may help healthcare providers personalize the selection of mental health medications,” said Dale Muzzey, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at Myriad Genetics. “This study found lower psychiatric-related hospitalizations following use of the GeneSight test, suggesting that GeneSight may help healthcare providers identify effective medications and reduce the trial-and-error prescribing process that can lead to increased healthcare resource utilization.”

The publication includes additional analysis of the study results first shared at the 2024 American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists conference. The study, entitled "Real-World Impact of Pharmacogenomic Testing on Medication Use and Healthcare Resource Utilization in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder,” showed, following GeneSight testing:

• There was an almost 40% relative reduction in the proportion of patients who filled prescriptions with significant gene-drug interactions. We believe these data suggest that healthcare providers are using the GeneSight test to inform treatment decisions.
• A 39% relative reduction in psychiatric-related hospitalizations and a 29% relative reduction in hospitalizations for any reason were observed.
• Patients who were switched to medications with no/moderate gene-drug interactions had a 44% relative reduction in psychiatric hospitalizations and a 34% relative reduction in hospitalizations for any reason.
  

“As a practicing psychiatrist, this study reinforces my decision to order the GeneSight test for my patients. Many patients don’t respond well to the first prescribed medication and the rate of positive medication response declines after that¹,” said Dr. Crystal Nelson, a psychiatrist in Newnan, GA. "My patients who suffer from major depressive disorder often share a renewed sense of hope after I tell them about and order the GeneSight test. Many of them share that they are relieved to learn that genetics may have been a reason why a medication failed them.”

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¹ American Journal of Psychiatry. “Acute and longer-term outcomes in depressed outpatients requiring one or several treatment steps: a STAR*D report” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17074942/

About the Study
The study analyzed a dataset generated by linking more than a half million de-identified patients who received the GeneSight test to administrative insurance claims from a nationwide data warehouse in the United States. Nearly 21,000 patients with major depressive disorder met inclusion criteria to be included in the study. The study authors then evaluated this dataset with regard to medications prescribed before and after GeneSight testing, as well as healthcare resource utilization before and after GeneSight testing. The company believes that GeneSight testing contributed to the reduction in patients who filled prescriptions with significant gene-drug interactions and the reduction in hospitalizations, but the study did not include an analysis of a non-GeneSight control group to evaluate whether or to what extent GeneSight testing was the cause of these reductions.

About the GeneSight^® Test
The GeneSight Psychotropic Test from Myriad Genetics is the category-leading pharmacogenomic (PGx) test for more than 60 medications commonly prescribed for depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other psychiatric conditions. The GeneSight test can help inform clinicians about how a patient’s genes may impact how they metabolize and/or respond to certain psychiatric medications. The GeneSight test supplements other information considered by a clinician as part of a comprehensive medical assessment. Learn more at GeneSight.com.

About Myriad Genetics
Myriad Genetics is a leading molecular diagnostics testing and precision medicine company dedicated to advancing health and well-being for all. Myriad Genetics develops and offers molecular tests that help assess the risk of developing disease or disease progression and guide treatment decisions across medical specialties where molecular insights can significantly improve patient care and lower healthcare costs. For more information, visit www.myriad.com.

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to the study's finding of lower psychiatric-related hospitalizations following the use of the GeneSight test, suggesting that GeneSight may help healthcare providers identify effective medications and reduce the trial-and-error prescribing process that can lead to increased healthcare resource utilization, as well as the company’s belief that the study’s data suggest that healthcare providers are using the GeneSight test to inform treatment decisions, and the company believes that GeneSight testing contributed to the reduction in patients who filled prescriptions with significant gene-drug interactions and the reduction in hospitalizations. These “forward-looking statements” are management’s expectations of future events as of the date hereof and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, conditions, and events to differ materially and adversely from those anticipated. Such factors include those risks described in the company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 28, 2025, as well as any updates to those risk factors filed from time to time in the company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K. Myriad is not under any obligation, and it expressly disclaims any obligation, to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by law. 

Investor Contact
Matt Scalo
(801) 584-3532
IR@myriad.com

Media Contact
Kate Schraml
(224) 875-4493
PR@myriad.com

FAQ

What were the key findings of Myriad Genetics' (MYGN) GeneSight study for depression patients?

The study showed a 40% reduction in prescriptions with gene-drug interactions, 39% fewer psychiatric hospitalizations, and 29% fewer overall hospitalizations after GeneSight testing.

How effective is MYGN's GeneSight test in reducing psychiatric hospitalizations?

Patients using GeneSight showed a 39% reduction in psychiatric hospitalizations, with those switched to medications having no/moderate gene-drug interactions experiencing a 44% reduction.

What impact does Myriad Genetics' GeneSight have on depression medication management?

GeneSight provides genetic insights that help healthcare providers personalize mental health medications and reduce trial-and-error prescribing.

Where was Myriad Genetics' GeneSight study published in 2025?

The study was published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology in April 2025.