Taliaz, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) health-analytics startup based in Israel, and Psychiatry UK LLP (PUK), the UK's online psychiatry service, announced that they have launched a groundbreaking online service to deliver AI-driven genetic testing to depression sufferers. The online medically-managed Predictix service aims to reduce patient suffering by helping psychiatrists better identify the right antidepressant medication earlier.  

Dr. Dekel Taliaz, Taliaz CEO said, "With depression the world's number 1 health burden according to the World Health Organization, the online Predictix service empowers psychiatrists to better tackle the often long and painful trial and error process that today's patients face to find the right antidepressant. By using deep-data analysis, our Predictix AI algorithm, understands the highly-complex role of each patients' unique biological background and environment in driving behaviors, to personalize treatment."

Dr Andy Montgomery, medical lead for Psychiatry UK said, "Available throughout the UK from the comfort of patients' homes, the new medically-managed Predictix service aims to change this status quo. Completely online, non-invasive and easy to use, patients simply consult with our psychiatrists and send over a DNA swab. Within days, our psychiatrists will have clear scientific guidance as to which antidepressant are most likely to be effective, based on each patient's' unique genetic makeup and health record."

Dr Adil Jawad, Psychiatrist at Psychiatry UK said, "One of our patients who had not responded to four antidepressants, reported that after starting the medication recommended by the Predictix test three weeks previous, is now feeling like 'I am a different person' and 'I feel 80% better in myself.”

Recent research shows that 65% of patients fail to achieve remission following their first-time antidepressant treatment and a further 30% completely quit their ineffective treatment.