COVID-19 Has Crystallized the Need for Effective Diagnostics at the Point-of-Need
COVID-19 Has Crystallized the Need for Effective Diagnostics at the Point-of-Need
COVID-19 Has Crystallized the Need for Effective Diagnostics at the Point-of-Need
COVID-19 Has Crystallized the Need for Effective Diagnostics at the Point-of-Need
COVID-19 Has Crystallized the Need for Effective Diagnostics at the Point-of-Need
Specific Applications Involving Immune-System Monitoring
Monitoring the immune system can be beneficial across multiple applications, each requiring a slightly different panel of biomarkers.
Wellness Self Monitoring
This Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) application will allow individual to monitor their personal inflammation level by routinely (e.g., daily, weekly, or monthly) measuring the blood level of a panel of biomarkers. By establishing a personal baseline to which all future measurements can be compared, people will be able to identify certain triggers (e.g., allergens, types of food and stress) that increase their inflammation levels and make the necessary changes to avoid them.
Immunotherapy Companion Diagnostics
Immunotherapy is another example where biological drugs are used. In this case the drugs are designed to direct our immune system to identify and fight cancer cells. The response rate to these drugs is in the 15% - 20% range. Being able to monitor the immune system and identify those (80% - 85%) who do not respond to the treatment can save time, allowing these patients to switch to a different treatment.
Autoimmunity Monitoring
Many autoimmune diseases lack effective therapy. This leaves those patients, who are often suffering excruciating pain, with no solution other than trying to manage their condition to minimize their suffering. Monitoring their immune system can allow those patients to better control their condition by identifying and avoid specific triggers worsening their pain.
Anti-inflammatory Drug Monitoring
Anti-Inflammatory Biological Drugs are substances derived from living cells and are used to block specific proteins of the immune system. While providing a much-needed relief to patients suffering from autoimmune diseases, these drugs are expensive (thousands of dollars per month). The efficacy of the drug varies from person to person and in many cases diminishes over time, mainly due to our immune system fending them off (e.g., by generating Anti-Drug Antibodies). It is therefore beneficial to monitor the immune system while taking these drugs, making sure the efficacy of the drug is maintained and no adverse side effects are triggered.