Empowered Patient Podcast Blood-Based Biomarker Provides Clinical Insights About Disease Activities of MS Patients with Melinda Thomas Octave Bioscience
Melinda Thomas, the COO and Co-Founder of Octave Bioscience is focused on delivering a new standard of care for multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases. The company aims to address the unmet needs of people living with MS using blood-based biomarkers, expanded imaging, and a clinical insights program. The solution includes an app, wearable sensors, and a nurse care partner to help patients and neurologists make better-informed treatment decisions.
Melinda elaborates, "What we learned when we did about 150 interviews before we even started developing anything was, in MS specifically, there was no way to see what was going on beneath the surface. You didn't have a blood test that told you what was going on in the biology. So, we developed a blood test, 18 biomarkers analytically validated, that reveal underlying activated pathways and mechanisms that allow for accurate measurement of what's going on with their disease activity."
"The tool used today is an MRI, which shows new or worsening lesions. It shows damage has occurred. So, the biomarker helps understand whether there is more disease activity that will eventually lead to these kinds of lesions. But also, if that is the gold standard, to understand if there are new or worsening lesions. We worked very hard with clinicians saying, "Where's the gap for you right now? What's the unmet need?"
#OctaveBioscience #MS #MultipleSclerosis #NeurodegenerativeDiseases #Biomarkers #BloodTests