MicrosensDx’s works with Imperial College team on test to detect sepsis early
MicrosensDx is working with the Mayr group at Imperial College London to develop a novel biomarker test for the early detection of sepsis.
The Cambridge Science Park-based molecular diagnostics company, founded in 2001, develops sample collection, enrichment, and preparation services/products for diagnostic companies and testing laboratories.
The company has novel IP and a deep know-how in sample preparation, inflammation/sepsis and protein aggregation, and has proficient R&D and product development capabilities. Uniquely, MicrosensDx’s sample prep methodology operates universally with all sample types at every scale, so it can be tuned for optimal performance with even the most complex samples.
The goal of the collaboration is to develop a groundbreaking sepsis test based on the detection of P Complex, which increases during serious infection, with high levels linked to poor patient outcomes. The team is working on an early stage project to evaluate the efficacy of specific antibodies against P Complex, as part of a programme to establish the first all-in-one test to stratify the risk of patients developing severe sepsis and septic shock.
The Mayr group is based on the work of Manuel Mayr, British Heart Foundation (BHF) professor for cardiovascular proteomics at the National Heart and Lung Institute, and co-director of the BHF Centre of Research Excellence at Imperial.
Prof Mayr and his team at Imperial are studying the molecules and proteins that put some people at greater risk of a heart attack or stroke.
“The sepsis biomarkers currently in clinical use lack specificity, highlighting the need for new markers with the ability to effectively stratify individual patients according to their severity of risk in a dynamic and timely fashion,” said Prof Mayer. “Together with MicrosensDx, we aim to provide proof-of-concept for a new test, which could later be evaluated to determine its ability to accurately assess patient risk and guide targeted treatment strategies.”.
The success of the new sepsis test would be of great significance to those affected by the disease. Sepsis results in 13 million deaths annually – and is implicated in 20 per cent of all deaths – at a staggering cost of £15.6 billion per year in the UK alone. There is a clear need for routine testing to enable more specific detection and prioritisation of sepsis treatment, as current biomarkers focus mainly on detecting inflammation, and most proposed biomarkers have limitations. A successful test to profile the risk of sepsis could therefore improve treatment, enable more timely and appropriate interventions, and reduce costs.
Simon Walker, CEO of MicrosensDx, said: “We’re really excited to collaborate on a potential solution to mitigate the devastating impact of sepsis. There is a pressing need for an early warning test that can not only rule in and rule out sepsis, but also help to stratify patients based on disease severity. We hope that this project will establish an innovative predictive test for sepsis, enabling earlier and more precise treatment decisions to be made.”