Endometriosis firm wins NIH prize

Endometriosis firm Endometrics has won first prize in a US innovation challenge for a non-invasive test using menstrual blood collected at home.

San Francisco-based Endometrics, a molecular diagnostics company developing a clinical intelligence platform for women’s health using menstrual blood, was named the first-place winner of the NIH RADx Tech ACT ENDO Challenge, a national competition designed to speed up the development of new diagnostic technologies for endometriosis.

The RADx Tech ACT ENDO Challenge was led by the NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering.

It aims to accelerate the development of innovative non-invasive technologies to improve the diagnosis of endometriosis.

Yana Aznavour, founder and chief executive at Endometrics, said: “Completing the RADx ACT ENDO programme and being named a 1st Prize winner is a tremendous honour for our team at Endometrics.

“During the past year, we worked alongside an exceptional team of experts dedicated to advancing endometriosis diagnosis.

“This recognition affirms the strength of the science behind our menstrual blood-based diagnostic platform and reinforces our belief that a new approach to diagnosing this disease is both possible and urgently needed.”

Endometrics received the top prize in the final phase of the multi-stage challenge, recognising its progress in developing a clinically graded, non-invasive diagnostic approach that analyses proprietary biomarkers in menstrual blood.

During the year-long programme, Endometrics worked with experts from the NIH innovation ecosystem and gained access to specialists in diagnostics development, regulatory strategy, manufacturing and commercialisation.

Endometriosis is a chronic disease affecting more than 10 per cent of women worldwide. Symptoms include severe pain during menstruation, chronic pelvic pain, pain during sexual intercourse and infertility.

Despite its prevalence, diagnosis often takes eight to 10 years, and the current standard of care remains laparoscopic surgery under general anaesthetic.

Pete Celano, assigned team lead for the RADx Tech ACT ENDO Challenge, said: “Endometriosis remains one of the most challenging diseases to diagnose in women’s health, and new approaches are urgently needed.

“Endometrics stood out for its innovative use of menstrual blood to detect molecular signals associated with the disease. Just as impressive was the strength of the team behind the science, their rigour, clarity of vision, and determination were evident throughout the RADx Tech ACT ENDO programme.

“It’s a truly exceptional team tackling an important clinical challenge.”