According to a story from Xcomony, the tech startup Glympse Bio has been developing a sensor technology that it claims will allow doctors to detect a variety of diseases earlier than ever before. The company hopes to first test the technology against the rare liver disease nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. In moving towards this goal, the company has managed to raise $22 million so far.
About Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a type of liver disease in which fat is deposited in the liver independent of excessive alcohol consumption. This disease can progress rapidly. Risk factors include metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. There also appears to be some genetic component to the disease as well. This condition also increases the risk of other health problems and liver cancer. Men also seem to be at greater risk, getting the disease as almost twice the rate that women do. Symptoms of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis include jaundice, malaise, fatigue, and abdominal pain or discomfort. Without treatment, the liver can become scarred and the patient may need a liver transplant. However, the condition can also be managed with proper diet, the use of certain medications, and exercise. To learn more about nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, click here.
Glympse’s Detection System
The detection system consists of advanced, bioengineered components called nanoparticles. These nanoparticles are able to travel throughout the patient’s body, searching for signs of disease. The results of their search are interpreted through a urine test. Glympse claims that the nanoparticles will be effective against a variety of different illnesses, such as immune disorders, fibrosis, cancer, and infections. In addition, they plan to use the system as a way to monitor how a patient is responding to treatment.
Why NASH?
Glympse has decided that nonalcoholic steatohepatitis would a good candidate for testing their new technology. The disorder is difficult to detect; many patients may have the disease and not realize it because it does not always cause symptoms. Diagnosing the condition is a challenge as well because a sample of liver tissue is necessary in order to do so.
If the nanoparticles do their job effectively, they will make discovering and diagnosed nonalcoholic steatohepatitis much easier and less invasive.
