Neurolytixs secures US patent for blood-based concussion diagnostic tool
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Canadian-based Neurolytixs Inc. announced it has secured a United States patent for technology that can identify mild traumatic brain injuries more accurately and rapidly, particularly in young athletes with concussions.
According to a release from Neurolytixs, the company launched clinical trials in Michigan in February after obtaining a pre-submission review from the FDA. The company’s innovation team has begun testing the new proprietary technology with the goal of full FDA approval.
“Our founding investors deeply believe in the global impact this tool will hopefully have,” Peter George, CEO of Neurolytixs, said in the release. “And now as we administer our pivotal studies, institutional capital investors are paying attention.”
According to the release, the new technology has a two-step process for mild TBI diagnosis, the first of which is a “chemical fingerprint” submitted by an individual via a finger-prick blood sample at the start of the sporting season.
If a possible concussion occurs, a new finger-prick blood sample is sent to the lab for testing within a 72-hour window after the incident and is compared with the athlete's original baseline sample, as well as a population reference range.
The technology can determine whether the patient has had a concussion within 20 minutes, the company stated. In addition, the tool will help remove injured athletes from play to prevent further acute injury and optimize strategies for proper recovery protocols.
According to the release, the test can be administered by parents, coaches, teachers, doctors and medical professionals.
“Better diagnosis is key to protecting the long-term health and well-being of millions of young athletes globally,” Douglas Fraser, MD, co-founder and developer of the Neurolytixs technology, said in the release. “With 50% of concussions going undiagnosed in youth sports, this might be a gamechanger for children and youth who participate in organized sports in Canada and around the world.”