InteliSpark client, Quadrant Biosciences, Inc. has been awarded a Phase II Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant for $2 million from the National Institute of Health (NIH). Their project will continue work from their phase I project, on the refinement and commercialization of an epigenetic autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnostics test, that has been claimed by one NIH proposal reviewer to be “game changing”.
Currently, it is found that approximately 1 out of 59 American children are diagnosed with ASD. This disorder affects their communication and social skills. It also is often seen to cause repetitive patterns and a narrow range of interests in the person. Though a cause for ASD has yet to be determined, early detection can help to significantly improve the lives of those affected. Therefore, Quadrant Biosciences has addressed this by developing an epigenetic test to facilitate early diagnosis, and furthermore accelerating access to treatment.
Quadrant Biosciences’ Phase I study found their diagnostic technology to surpass 85% accuracy; which was found studying more than 500 children ages 18 months – 6 years old utilizing RNA features to differentiate children with ASD from peers with typical development or development delay. The phase II project will expand the study to 5 different academic medical center locations, and involve the recruitment of 750 additional children.