Oxford BioDynamics Advances Blood Test for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

UK-based precision diagnostics company Oxford BioDynamics has made significant progress in developing a first-of-its-kind blood test for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis. The test, which leverages the company's EpiSwitch 3D genomics platform, has shown promising results in a recent study, potentially offering a definitive and timely diagnostic tool for a condition that has long lacked reliable testing methods.

Breakthrough in CFS Diagnostics

The blood test, developed by Oxford BioDynamics, demonstrated an impressive 96% accuracy rate in detecting CFS, with 92% sensitivity and 98% specificity, according to a study accepted for publication in the Journal of Translational Medicine. This advancement could revolutionize the diagnosis of CFS, a condition that affects approximately 400,000 people in the UK and millions worldwide.

CFS is characterized by extreme fatigue and has been notoriously difficult to diagnose due to the lack of a reliable test. The condition's impact on patients' quality of life and the healthcare system underscores the importance of this diagnostic breakthrough.

EpiSwitch Platform and Future Applications

Oxford BioDynamics' EpiSwitch 3D genomics platform, which forms the basis of this new test, has shown versatility in its applications. The company is now exploring the possibility of developing a similar test for post-COVID syndrome, also known as long COVID, which shares overlapping symptoms with CFS.

Dr. Alexandre Akoulitchev, Chief Scientific Officer at Oxford BioDynamics, expressed pride in the company's achievement, stating, "With this breakthrough, we are proud to enable a first-in-class test that can address an unmet need for a quick and reliable diagnostic for a complex, challenging-to-identify illness."

Next Steps and Potential Partnerships

Following this promising development, Oxford BioDynamics is actively seeking partners to co-develop or license the CFS blood test. This move could accelerate the test's journey to market and make it available to patients and healthcare providers.

The company's track record in diagnostic development is notable, with another of its devices already in use for prostate cancer detection in both the UK and US markets. This experience could prove valuable in navigating the regulatory landscape and bringing the CFS test to clinical practice.