Oasis Diagnostics to Develop Saliva Test for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s

Oasis Diagnostics Corp. has licensed technology for the non-invasive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease from Drs. Balwant Rai and Jasdeep Kaur. Using a series of proprietary biomarkers, Oasis will develop a rapid saliva test for these debilitating diseases in its patented VerOFy point-of-care testing platform device.

Two collaborators will use a point-of-care testing tool and up to eight specific proprietary biomarkers found in saliva for diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Oasis recently executed an exclusive, global license for the technology from the inventors who have demonstrated that 50 different biomarkers are contributory to Alzheimer’s disease but as few as three can lead to accurate diagnosis using the Oasis VerOFy point-of-care testing tool.

The VerOFy Rapid Test Platform is an enabling technology for rapid point-of-care diagnosis using saliva specimens. In this case, it will be able to accomodate a test for Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis by detecting specific concentrations of each of eight biomarkers that collectively provide a high degree of accuracy (sensitivity and specificity) for Alzheimer’s disease. The VerOFy technology was originally developed for roadside drugs-of-abuse testing, but may be applied to a multitude of diseases, disease states or biomarkers for use in any setting where immediate results are required.

“Currently, there is no diagnostic test that can confirm Parkinson’s disease. Laboratory testing of the blood of patients with the symptoms typical of Parkinson’s only rarely uncovers any abnormality,” according to the University of Maryland Parkinson’s Disease Center in Baltimore.

“Three salivary biomarkers,” said Rai, “may be sufficient to diagnose Parkinson’s disease at an early stage. These biomarkers have very high specificity and sensitivity.”

“We chose Oasis as its partner for the (testing) technology based on its reputation as one of the leading oral fluid diagnostics companies in the world,” said Rai. “The Company’s experience in the development and commercialization of innovative salivary diagnostic tools is unique.”

Added Slowey, “We believe the VerOFy Alzheimer’s test will revolutionize the way the disease is diagnosed by providing a tool for clinics, physicians’ offices and, eventually, over the counter. It will facilitate earlier detection, earlier enrollment into available treatment protocols and may be used as a tool to monitor the effectiveness of new therapies entering the market. Undoubtedly, VerOFy will be used for ongoing research into this debilitating disease.”

-Richard Park

    Request more information

    Please fill out the form below to receive more information, even pricing about this product.