A method for early detection of sepsis

Licensing opportunity

A new predictive marker for sepsis, which will allow the design of novel diagnostic reagent kits for early detection of sepsis, is now available for license from the University of Bern, Switzerland.

Currently, early detection of sepsis in patients in intensive care units is difficult. While a number of parameters are used to monitor patients, there is no specific diagnostic test.

Early recognition of patients at risk of sepsis is critical to initiate antibiotic therapy and other intensive care approaches.

Now scientists at the University of Bern, Switzerland, have designed an assay to detect a new sepsis marker in human biological fluids and tissues. The assay is based on antibodies generated against a recombinant protein. These antibodies can be used to detect the marker in serum and tissue homogenates.

The marker is secreted at the onset of sepsis in patients with major trauma. A retrospective clinical study with 63 trauma patients has demonstrated a highly significant correlation between sepsis and marker levels starting at day 3 after trauma. Other established clinical markers were not as significant.

The university has filed a patent and is now looking for a development partner.  The clinical data from the 63 patient trial is available.