CA-based Superfluid Dx Secures an Undisclosed Amount in Series A Round Funding. This round was led by WRQ Sciences. With this transaction, WRQ Sciences has acquired majority ownership in the Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) diagnostics company, Molecular Stethoscope, Inc., which is now renamed Superfluid Diagnostics, Inc.
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The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation’s (ADDF) Diagnostics Accelerator (DxA) participated in the Series A financing. Molecular Stethoscope was founded in 2014 based on pioneering research at the Scripps Institute and Stephen Quake’s lab at Stanford University and has developed a test for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Gajus Worthington, Superfluid Diagnostics’ CEO and Managing Director of WRQ Sciences said, “One million Americans per year develop Alzheimer’s Disease and the need for a fast and accurate diagnostic test is acute and expanding, Existing tests for Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias can miss up to 30% of patients developing the disease and misdiagnose another third. The breakthrough work at Superfluid Diagnostics will transform the Alzheimer’s Disease diagnostic landscape.”
Most existing AD diagnostic tests target amyloid beta/tau and APOE markers. However current research shows AD has multiple pathological mechanisms, and many patients who are positive for amyloid beta and tau never develop AD. Superfluid Diagnostics’ liquid biopsy test addresses this challenge by measuring RNA released from brain cells, providing a direct measure of pathology.
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Worthington said, “This is a pivotal moment for Alzheimer’s Disease diagnostics, The field of Alzheimer’s Disease research and drug development has blossomed over the past decade with more detailed understanding of the disease and the emergence of new potential treatments. There are currently over 140 therapeutic agents for Alzheimer’s in later stage clinical trials addressing a variety of disease mechanisms. Accurate diagnostics that provide early insight into disease development are a critical component to robust trials and effective patient treatment.”
Regis Kelly said, “We finally have emerging treatment options for early stage AD, Byers Family Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Biochemistry and Biophysics, UCSF. As a result, early detection tools that help to get the right therapies to the right patients at the right time are critical. In both treatment and drug trials, having fast and reliable diagnostic tests remain essential.”
About Superfluid
Superfluid Dx is revolutionizing diagnosis for Alzheimer’s Disease. Superfluid is building a translational science and data analysis platform to harness the power of cell-free mRNA to diagnose neruo-degenerative and other diseases. Superfluid is based in South San Francisco and is led and funded by leaders from the life science, technology and investment fields.
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