Oasis Diagnostics Corporation (OASIS) has received a research award from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF) to validate its development of a non-invasive, saliva-based rapid test for Parkinson's disease detection and diagnosis. The Vancouver, Washington-based company will collaborate with Dr. Charles Adler's research group at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona to study proprietary biomarkers in saliva that are the subject of an exclusive license held by OASIS from Danish researchers.
The project aims to address a critical gap in Parkinson's disease management, where diagnosis currently relies heavily on clinical examination due to the lack of suitable diagnostic biomarkers. Existing confirmatory tests, such as cerebrospinal fluid analysis and specialized imaging techniques, are both expensive and invasive.
Innovative Salivary Biomarker Approach
Research has identified approximately 50 salivary biomarkers associated with Parkinson's disease, but OASIS's preliminary work suggests that as few as three specific biomarkers can provide accurate diagnosis when analyzed using their proprietary VerOFy® platform. The MJFF-funded project will initially focus on confirming that the VerOFy® system can reliably detect specific concentrations of these three key biomarkers that collectively deliver high sensitivity and specificity for Parkinson's detection.
"A saliva-based diagnostic test would be a great benefit to the millions of individuals living with Parkinson's disease, and the many more who will become at risk as the population ages," noted a company representative. The non-invasive nature of saliva collection represents a significant advantage over current diagnostic approaches.
Potential Impact on Clinical Trials and Treatment Development
Beyond improving diagnosis, validation of these Parkinson's biomarkers could substantially accelerate clinical trials of disease-modifying treatments. The technology would enable more precise study participant stratification and faster assessment of therapeutic efficacy, potentially speeding the development of new treatments.
The VerOFy® Rapid Test Platform is described as an enabling technology for rapid, point-of-care diagnosis using saliva specimens. The system is designed to provide quantitative biomarker assessment and can be applied to various diseases and biomarkers in settings where immediate results are required.
Expanding Applications of the VerOFy® Platform
OASIS is currently developing several other unique saliva tests using the VerOFy® platform, including tests for stress (cortisol) – which is the subject of an NIH Phase II SBIR award – as well as testosterone and estradiol. This suggests a broader strategy to establish saliva-based diagnostics across multiple medical applications.
The company notes that the current applications of the VerOFy® platform are for Research Use Only and not yet approved for diagnostic procedures. However, the MJFF grant represents a significant step toward potential clinical validation of this approach for Parkinson's disease.
If successful, this technology could transform the diagnostic landscape for Parkinson's disease, offering a simple, non-invasive tool that could be deployed in various healthcare settings, potentially enabling earlier intervention and more personalized treatment approaches.
