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A rapid and cost-effective point-of-care diagnostic kit able to predict treatment response for appropriate Multiple Sclerosis management

Project description

Novel test identifies gut microbiome biomarkers for the evaluation of MS treatment

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder affecting millions of people worldwide. Currently, there is no cure, and future drug development efforts require the identification of predictive biomarkers that can measure treatment response. The EU-funded ScleroTest project has developed a point-of-care diagnostic test that relies on gut microbiota. The test is non-invasive and accurate, and it generates results in less than 24 hours, allowing the prompt evaluation of treatment response. Moreover, the cost-effectiveness of the test ensures its widespread implementation in routine practice, leading to faster and more suitable treatments for MS patients.

Objective

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system currently affecting about 2.5 million people worldwide (mainly young adults, three times more women than men). There is no cure and therapies do not properly work in all patients. Personalized medicine is needed but we lack predictive biomarkers for treatment response to secure prompt and early treatment and the best clinical outcomes for each patient. Thus, MS represents a major public health issue with a substantial socioeconomic impact (€15.5 B annual costs in Europe). Bioithas is a biotechnology company in the field of health developing new diagnostic and therapeutic targets for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. In response to the unmet need, it is focused on developing the first-ever gut microbiota based biomarker for predicting MS treatment response. ScleroTest, a quick point-of-care (PoC) diagnostic tool, will allow immunomodulatory profiling of patients to predict treatment response. It is a non-invasive, accurate (PCR performance), rapid (results in <24 h) and cost-competitive test (€25 test, ca. 58 % cheaper than magnetic resonance and JC virus alternatives). ScleroTest implantation in routine practice will face current MS management problems resulting on added value for patients, neurologists and health systems by allowing fast and correct therapy choice, better clinical outcomes and cost-savings. ScleroTest scalability will also open new avenues for personalized therapy in other diseases. Due to ScleroTest´s cost-competitive features plus the absence of real competition, the increasing MS prevalence and incidence globally and the growing PoC market (CAGR 10%, €33 B by 2022), Bioithas foresees ScleroTest as a fruitful business opportunity (accumulated net profit ca. €18.02 M, 2022-2026). To secure the successful market launch, we will perform a feasibility study analyzing technological, commercial and financial aspects to finalize our business plan.

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020

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Coordinator

BIOITHAS SL
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 50 000,00
Address
C/ MAESTRO JOAQUIN ZAPATER 6
03430 ONIL ALICANTE
Spain

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Este Comunitat Valenciana Alicante/Alacant
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 71 429,00
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