Hera Biotech - AI enabled diagnostics in the femtech market.
An underfunded chronic systemic disease as big as diabetes.
Endometriosis was considered a localized disease until recently because it primarily involves the growth of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus, usually within the pelvic region. However, the impacts of endometriosis can be systemic, meaning they affect the entire body.
Below the Belt is a documentary about endometriosis.
The pain and other symptoms associated with endometriosis can significantly affect a woman's quality of life.
It can significantly affect a woman’s fertility by hindering the normal processes of ovulation, fertilization, and embryo implantation. The physical blockages caused by endometriosis can make it more difficult for the eggs to reach the fallopian tubes and for fertilization to occur. This can result in reduced fertility and an increased risk of infertility in individuals with endometriosis.
Research has also shown that endometriosis can trigger a chronic inflammatory response throughout the body, and this inflammation can potentially have widespread effects.
Hormonal treatments for endometriosis can have systemic effects, including bone loss, metabolic changes, and menopausal symptoms.
The definitive diagnosis of endometriosis all these years was established through a procedure called laparoscopy; this is mainly because the symptoms of endometriosis can mimic other conditions, and a definitive diagnosis (by collecting tissue for biopsy during the procedure) helps to ensure appropriate treatment.
Endometriosis involves tissue similar to uterine lining growing on the outside of the uterus.
Researchers have been studying various potential biomarkers for diagnosing endometriosis, such as blood and urine. But still, no single biomarker has been identified that is both sensitive (able to identify women with endometriosis correctly) and specific (able to identify women without endometriosis correctly) enough to be used as a stand-alone test for the condition.
Ultrasound and MRI can sometimes detect larger endometriomas but they are often inadequate for diagnosing the most common form of peritoneal endometriosis.
These approaches, fraught with the possibility of misdiagnosis and incomplete detection, have left countless women grappling with pain and uncertainty for years.
Hera Biotech changes the way we diagnose endometriosis.
Hera Biotech redefines the definitive diagnosis and staging of endometriosis through a revolutionary approach.
Their technology, called MetriDx, utilizes a minimally invasive pipelle biopsy to collect a sample of endometrial tissue, from inside the uterus, during an office visit with a physician. This sample is then analyzed by their AI algorithm to detect the presence of endometriosis at the gene level. The predictive capability of the AI helps determine the stage of the disease as well, providing crucial insight into the severity of the condition.
Why is gene level so important?
MetriDx evaluates differences in gene activity (specifically, Gap Junction genes) within cells in the endometrium. This is significant because gap junctions, which are essentially channels connecting neighboring cells, allow them to communicate with each other. This intercellular communication plays a critical role in many bodily functions that can affect fertility and the development of certain diseases.
In endometrial diseases, changes in gap junction gene expression might disrupt normal cell communication and contribute to disease formation and progression. For example, these changes could make cells more invasive, possibly promoting conditions like endometriosis or even cancer.
In the context of fertility, gap junction communication is crucial for processes like embryo implantation, the formation of blood vessels necessary for fetal growth, and placenta formation. Disruptions in these processes could potentially affect fertility and pregnancy outcomes.
Here's a simpler way to think about it: Imagine you're trying to solve a giant puzzle with many pieces. Each puzzle piece represents a gene in a cell. Some pieces might indicate endometriosis; others might not. The AI algorithm is like a puzzle-solving expert that can quickly figure out how the pieces fit together and what picture they form. This could help predict whether the tissue might behave in ways contributing to endometrial diseases or fertility issues. It's a predictive tool to detect abnormalities before they manifest into more significant health issues.
Besides accurate diagnosis and staging of endometriosis their technology unlocks the potential for personalized medicine. By gaining insights into an individual's unique genetic makeup, healthcare providers can customize treatment plans to suit their specific needs, improving outcomes for patients with endometriosis and related conditions.