| DEALFLOWUPDATE Issue #24. Friday, January 25 |
This week, we’ll be discussion diagnostics. However, our usual focus has usually been on molecular diagnostics – finding markers in DNA or proteins that are key indicators of a condition or disease, and with particular attention to consumer use in early detection. The field is so vast, though, that it can also include diagnostics for surgery or brain conditions or novel mechanisms. We’ll be highlighting some interesting deals in diagnostics that either use new methods, focus on applications that are frequently overlooked and are in fields that are of interest to us. -Neal P.S. Our readership continues to grow! please subscribe if you’re new and continue to share with others on social media. Connect with us, we would love to hear from you! |
Dealflow LabCorp, French biopharma company partner to create a test for liver disease For our first deal, diagnostics can be used to find conditions in specific organs, such as for liver disease. This is particularly important in not just cancer cases but also conditions such as cirrhosis and fibrosis. Early detection of these can greatly reduce pain and treatment times, and long-term complications. We have seen other deals in this space that can non-invasively, using sound or other means, diagnose organ-specific conditions. Read More  Breath test to detect multiple cancers early begins large trial A mechanism of action that we have seen some movement in is using the breath to diagnose conditions. This offers even greater accessibility than even saliva or urine tests, and can actually be more revealing for certain conditions such as lung cancer or pulmonary disease, such as in a recent case. These methods look for markers such as volatile organic compounds or other molecules that are present in the breath that are early indicators of disease. In order to succeed on the market, these devices still face a challenge of having to be both accurate and yet easy to use and cost efficient. Read More  Artificial intelligence can detect Alzheimer’s in brain scans six years before a diagnosis Another important diagnosis is for Alzheimer’s disease, which we have covered before. Current methods such as positron emission tomography (PET) are the standard for finding key indicators of the disease, but even that can be improved with artificial intelligence. Advances in these algorithms can detect the signs of Alzheimer’s with greater accuracy and with more time before the onset of the condition. Even so, PET scans are expensive and not easy to access, so technologies that can screen patients earlier and lead to PET scans are still needed. Read More  Blood flow, perfusion imaging device receives FDA clearance Diagnostic platforms can also assist during surgeries. For example, there are current and emerging devices that can give the surgeon information on where blood flow (perfusion) is low or high. This can guide a surgeon on where to perform incisions or attachments, such as in placing flaps in reconstructive surgery. Knowing where tissue is most likely to survive post-operation increases the likelihood of the success of the procedure, and reduces complications and repeat surgeries. Read More  The diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases such as arterial stenosis and heart failure Lastly, a similar application and also a new method is non-invasive imaging of the skin using light. Specifically, this is used to diagnose the condition of the artery, which can lead to early signs of stiffening of the vessel and cardiovascular disease. This can be implemented as an early screening tool, supplementing current methods with an accurate way to actually determine what is happening under the skin without any invasive procedures. Read More What We’re ReadingNEW We May Finally Know What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease PIT Meet The VC Turbocharging Seed Investing GEE Digital Health Investments Hit an All Time High of $8.6B SCI Replace Annual Physicals with Real-Time Biomarker Monitoring Connect With Zoic Capital |
| The Biweekly Dealflow Update, curated by the team at Zoic Capital. |
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