AUSTIN, Texas (BUSINESS WIRE) (November 15, 2007) — Rules-Based Medicine, Inc. (RBM) announced today that the National Institutes of Health has awarded RBM a “Fast-Track” grant for the development of a diagnostic test for neonatal sepsis. The grant, entitled “Biomarker Profiles for Early Diagnosis of Sepsis in Neonates,” utilizes RBM’ s HumanMAP ® platform to characterize and validate a pattern of biomarkers that can detect early signs of infection in newborns. This project will be performed in collaboration with the University of New Mexico (UNM) in Albuquerque.
In a preliminary study, data indicated that a sensitive, specific diagnostic is possible where no predicate test exists today. The project, funded for $849,000, will examine samples provided by UNM from their Neonatal Intensive Care ward. RBM will administer the grant and perform all of the testing and statistical analysis.
“Infection is one of the biggest problems confronting newborns in intensive care,” said Dr. Michael Spain, RBM’ s Chief Medical Officer. “Our collaboration with UNM has greatly facilitated the search for a solution to this problem.”
Clifford R. Lyons, Professor of Medicine at UNM, has long recognized the value of biomarkers in the pre-symptomatic detection of medical conditions. “Children in a newborn intensive care unit are very susceptible to a variety of infections that can be life-threatening if not found early,” said Dr. Lyons. “The ability to routinely monitor serum biomarkers for the earliest signs of infection could have a significant impact on the survival rates of the newborns most at risk.
This project is being supported by Grant Number R44GM082038 from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences.