Mendelian
Mendelian is a healthtech company in London whose primary goal is to help the National Health System (NHS) diagnose rare diseases faster. With 3 million people currently living with a rare condition in the UK, it is clear this is no small feat.
Mendelian has already made contributions to this area globally. Approximately 50,000 people across 150 countries use their solutions. But Mendelian isn’t done.
A recent study commissioned by the company indicated the still drastic need for improvement in this area. It found-
“In the UK it takes an average of 5.6 years, eight clinicians (including four specialists) and three misdiagnoses before the correct rare disease is identified.”
This means years of turmoil for patients during which they aren’t receiving the proper treatment or care. Additionally, the study found that during the past 10 years, 3.4 billion pounds have been spend just on diagnosing rare diseases in the UK. Wouldn’t this money be much better spent investigating better treatments for these conditions?
New Innovation
Mendelian has worked to develop a tech screening system which accurately delivers diagnosis to patients using an analysis of their symptoms. The best part about this system is that it works fast. After the technology comes up with a diagnosis, it notifies the patients general practitioner (GP). The GP may recommend further testing to confirm the diagnosis if they aren’t completely confident in it. Following confirmation, the patient can be referred to the correct specialist who can provide them the best care.
Mendelian used GPs in this examination because they are the first people patients see when they think something is wrong. Therefore, use of their technology in this stage of healthcare means earliest possible diagnosis for patients.
The company believes that in addition to helping diagnose rare conditions, this technology will also be useful for more common ailments that are difficult to diagnose.
The Funding
Mendelian’s development of this technology requires a large sum of money. But thankfully, they have just received a grant from Innovate UK which will go toward this project. The grant totals 570,000 pounds.
Ultimately, Mendelian hopes their new innovation will help rare patients achieve not only faster diagnosis, but faster, more targeted, and more personalized treatment. An added benefit is reduced cost for healthcare systems and tax payers.
You can read more about Mendelian’s work on this diagnostic tool and the grant which is funding it here.
