VolitionRx Limited (NYSE American: VNRX), a multi-national epigenetics company, has announced a significant technical milestone: the successful detection of nucleosomes in capillary blood from critically ill patients with sepsis using a lateral flow finger-prick prototype. The study, conducted as part of the SUMMIT program, demonstrated the feasibility of detecting nucleosomes in capillary samples. The findings also support the feasibility of early detection of immune disruptions associated with conditions such as sepsis across point-of-care and non-laboratory settings.
The company said the prototype builds on prior results showing correlation between venous blood samples tested with its lateral flow system and its established Nu.Q nucleosome assay. Volition noted that this approach could expand access to testing through point-of-care use and broaden its addressable market while supporting future commercialization efforts, including potential partnerships to increase access in regions with limited laboratory infrastructure. The full press release is available at https://ibn.fm/ioEmu.
This breakthrough is particularly important because sepsis is a life-threatening condition that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment. Current diagnostic methods often rely on laboratory-based tests that can be time-consuming and may not be readily available in resource-limited settings. A finger-prick test that can be performed at the point of care could dramatically reduce time to diagnosis, potentially improving patient outcomes and reducing mortality. Moreover, the ability to detect nucleosomes, which are markers of cell death and immune activation, could enable earlier intervention before sepsis progresses to severe stages.
For VolitionRx, this advancement represents a strategic move to extend its diagnostic platform beyond venous blood samples to capillary blood, which is easier to collect and requires less training. This could open up new markets, particularly in developing countries where laboratory infrastructure is sparse. The company is a multi-national firm focused on advancing the science of epigenetics, dedicated to saving lives and improving outcomes for people and animals with life-altering diseases through earlier detection, as well as disease and treatment monitoring. Through its subsidiaries, Volition is developing and commercializing simple, easy-to-use, cost-effective blood tests to help detect and monitor a range of diseases, including some cancers and diseases associated with NETosis, such as sepsis.
The implications of this announcement extend beyond sepsis. The same technology could potentially be adapted for other conditions involving nucleosome release, such as certain cancers and autoimmune diseases. By demonstrating feasibility in capillary blood, VolitionRx is paving the way for a new generation of point-of-care diagnostic tests that could transform disease management globally. For more information about the company, visit www.Volition.com.
