Technology

Biomarker for Autoimmune Disease

For diagnosing and monitoring autoimmune diseases.

QUOTE No: TEC1104837

Biomarker for Autoimmune Disease

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Novel method for the diagnosis, detection and/or monitoring of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome, through the detection of a blood biomarker released from a subset of B cells.

At a glance

Application

  • Diagnosis and detection of autoimmune disease.
  • Monitoring the effectiveness of treatments.

Development status

Method validated using blood samples of diseased patients, along with single-cell sequencing datasets.

IP Status

PCT application

Commercial offerings

Licensing partner

Opportunity

  • Autoimmune disorders affect around 10% of the global population and are the third most common cause of chronic illness in the United States. These conditions can cause serious, sometimes life-threatening, organ damage.
  • Reliable biomarkers do not exist for many of these diseases, which makes early diagnosis and personalised treatment difficult.
  • Identifying specific biomarkers could help by enabling earlier, more targeted interventions and improving long-term outcomes.

Technology

The inventors have identified a distinct subset of B cells that is expanded in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and Sjögren’s syndrome, based on single-cell sequencing data. Alongside this cell population, a biomarker was found to be consistently elevated in these diseases. Its presence in the blood serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren’s syndrome further supports its potential as a diagnostic or monitoring tool.

This discovery offers a straightforward method for assessing disease activity through a blood test, providing valuable insight into disease state and progression. In addition to its diagnostic potential, the biomarker and associated B cell subset may represent a novel therapeutic target in autoimmune disease.

Benefits

Compared to existing diagnostic approaches in autoimmune disease, this technology offers:

  • A novel and specific method for identifying and monitoring autoimmune diseases.
  • A cross-disease biomarker that may act as a broader indicator of autoimmunity.
  • A simple, blood-based test that enables accessible and minimally invasive diagnosis.
  • A potential therapeutic avenue through selective targeting of the biomarker and/or associated B cell subset.

Publication

Cochlin-Expressing Memory B (COMB) Cells Are Enriched in Autoimmune Diseases and Display a Distinct Activation Profile. Becca Belmonte, Mohini Gray. bioRxiv 2025.03.24.644109;
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.03.24.644109

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Sue Bruce

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