4 Smithfield Street, 12th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 P. 412.288.9901 F. 412.288.9902
May 26, 2004
PITTSBURGH, PA - BodyMedia and the University of Maryland have partnered to implement a powerful new genetic technology for distinguishing those individuals with certain health conditions who can most benefit from exercise. Through the partnership BodyMedia - which today provides innovative health programs through its unobtrusive wearable body monitoring products and services - will integrate genetics-based guidance to its suite of health monitoring and management solutions.
Dr. James M. Hagberg, lead researcher on the project in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Maryland, in collaboration with geneticists at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Maryland Baltimore, has been investigating what a person's genes say about how much their health can benefit from a moderate exercise program. Through a series of NIH funded studies, the team has identified genetic markers that predict particularly significant exercise benefits for patients with a variety of conditions, including high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, and obesity.
A recent University of Maryland study has demonstrated that approximately 35% of Americans carry at least one of several genetic markers that predict more than double the loss in body fat on a standard moderate exercise program over those without a marker. The genetic markers can be identified with a simple and cost effective test requiring only a cheek swab from the patient.
“Through its exclusive access to these genetic testing discoveries, BodyMedia now has the means to expand even further its physiological insights to patients seeking lifestyle solutions to their health problems,” said Ivo Stivoric, BodyMedia's Chief Technology Officer. “Knowing someone is likely to see particularly positive outcomes from exercise for some conditions and more typical outcomes for other conditions can have a profound impact on how to manage various conditions and enhance the ability to determine an appropriate combination of exercise, diet and medication.”
Bodymedia has negotiated an exclusive license to this technology through the University of Maryland's Office of Technology Commercialization. BodyMedia's products are offered to various market segments in collaboration with its strategic channel partners. BodyMedia and its strategic partners are reviewing implementation plans for these new advances into both its current and near future product lines.
About the University of Maryland
Dr. Hagberg and his colleagues at the University of Maryland have been conducting research on the relationships between disease risk-factors and exercise for more than 20 years. The team also includes Dr. Bernard F. Hurley, Dr. Michael D. Brown, Dr. Dana A. Phares, and Dr. Stephen M. Roth. Dr. Robert E. Ferrell, professor of human genetics at the University of Pittsburgh, has also been a key member of the research team. The Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) at the University of Maryland was established in 1986 to facilitate the transfer of life, information and physical science inventions developed at the university to business and industry. Over the past 18 years, OTC has recorded more than 1200 technologies and more than 700 license agreements, generating more than $21 million in technology transfer income to the university. In addition, more than 35 high-tech start-up companies have been formed based on technologies developed at the university-29 in Maryland.