Diagnostic Biomarkers for Drug-Induced Liver Injury
Rapid diagnosis of patients with a suspected drug overdose has cost saving implications for healthcare providers
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LICENSING / COLLABORATIVE R&D OPPORTUNITY:
Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have identified novel biomarkers present in serum and urine of patients, allowing rapid diagnosis of patients with drug-induced liver injury - a common consequence of an overdose.
Paracetamol overdoses are treated with a glutathione pro-drug (N-acetylcysteine (NAC)), but adverse reactions to this antidote are common (around 15% of patients). As the majority of patients will not develop organ injury we may be over-treating with a potentially toxic antidote. Furthermore, patients are given NAC intravenously over a period of approximately 20 hours. Once the treatment is complete, further tests to assess the extent of any liver damage are conducted. At present, Paracetamol-induced organ damage may only be excluded after a minimum period of 20 hours.
This technology uses biomarkers present in the urine or serum as early as 5 hours, allowing more rapid triaging of patients and cost savings for healthcare providers.Key Benefits
- Biomarkers allow diagnosis to be made with 8 hours compared to the traditional 24 hours
- Reduction in costs to healthcare providers in treating suspected drug overdoses
- Reduction in unnecessary preventative treatments that are costly and potentially toxic
Applications
- Point of care diagnostic kit
- Research tools to better understand liver injury
IP Status
A PCT application entitled “Identifying Organ Damage” (Reference No. WO/2009/027703) was filed claiming priority from 29th August 2007.
The University of Edinburgh is looking for an industrial partner to license this technology to develop a diagnostic kit.
If you would like further information about
this opportunity please fill out the form below. Your enquiry will
be passed on to the relevant University who will respond to you directly.
