Delhi-based biotech company Vgenomics has entered into a strategic partnership with Dr. Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital to validate a groundbreaking tear-based biomarker for early detection of keratoconus, a progressive eye disease that can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated. The collaboration focuses on validating VSP-2224, a novel biomarker developed using artificial intelligence technology and Vgenomics' proprietary RgenX-LENS platform.
Revolutionary Non-Invasive Detection Method
The VSP-2224 biomarker represents a significant advancement in keratoconus diagnosis, offering a completely non-invasive approach that requires no surgery or painful procedures. The key innovation lies in its ability to detect the disease even before symptoms appear, potentially enabling healthcare providers to identify at-risk patients much earlier than current diagnostic methods allow.
Current techniques for detecting keratoconus only become effective after significant corneal damage has already occurred, making timely treatment challenging. This new tear-based approach could transform the diagnostic landscape by facilitating earlier intervention and improving patient outcomes through identification at the disease's initial stages.
Addressing a Growing Global Health Challenge
Keratoconus affects the cornea, the transparent layer of the eye, gradually weakening vision through progressive deterioration. More than 2% of India's population is estimated to be affected by this disease, with the condition also spreading rapidly in MENA (Middle East and North Africa) countries. This widespread prevalence underscores the critical need for early and accessible detection methods.
The progressive nature of keratoconus makes early detection particularly crucial, as the disease can lead to severe visual impairment if not identified and treated promptly. The partnership between Vgenomics and Dr. Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital aims to address this unmet medical need through innovative biomarker technology.
Clinical Validation and Future Applications
VSP-2224 is currently undergoing clinical validation among patients, healthy individuals, and those receiving treatment. This comprehensive validation process is designed to establish the biomarker's effectiveness across different patient populations and disease stages.
Beyond the immediate application for keratoconus detection, Vgenomics is developing OcuTear, a fast and easy point-of-care diagnostic panel for surface eye diseases. VSP-2224 will serve as the key marker for keratoconus within this broader diagnostic platform, potentially expanding access to early detection capabilities.
Transforming Patient Care
The collaboration represents a significant step toward making keratoconus care more accurate, faster, and patient-friendly. By enabling detection before significant vision impairment occurs, the tear-based biomarker approach could fundamentally change treatment outcomes for patients with this progressive eye condition.
The partnership leverages Dr. Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital's clinical expertise with Vgenomics' AI-powered biomarker development capabilities, creating a foundation for advancing ophthalmic diagnostic tools and providing more timely treatment options for keratoconus patients.
