Circular Genomics is tackling the challenge of antidepressant selection with its new product, MindLight, launched in September 2024. This innovative test uses circular RNA (circRNA) biomarkers to predict which patients are most likely to respond to selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), potentially streamlining the treatment process for depression. With depression affecting approximately 350 million people worldwide and a significant portion failing to respond to initial SSRI treatment, MindLight offers a promising step towards precision medicine in psychiatry.
MindLight: A Novel Approach to Predicting SSRI Response
MindLight leverages Circular Genomics' circRNA platform to identify patients with a higher likelihood of responding to SSRIs. In clinical trials, 77% of patients classified as likely responders by MindLight demonstrated a positive response to SSRI treatment. The test provides results within three to five days, enabling physicians to make quicker and more informed treatment decisions. "Our data-driven approach will help healthcare professionals select the right treatment for the right patient. By taking the guesswork out, it has potential to redefine the standard of care," said Nikolaos Mellios, CSO and co-founder of Circular Genomics.
The Science Behind circRNA Biomarkers
Circular RNAs are robust molecules found in the brain that can cross the blood-brain barrier and be detected in peripheral blood via PCR tests. Mellios's research at the University of New Mexico revealed that individuals who did not respond to SSRIs had higher levels of a specific circRNA compared to those who did respond. This discovery led to the development of MindLight, aiming to provide a direct response biomarker for depression, an area where such tools have been lacking.
Expanding the Scope: Future Developments
Circular Genomics is actively developing next-generation versions of MindLight. These include a multianalyte version with enhanced sensitivity, a version tailored for adolescents with depression, and a multiclass antidepressant-response test that could simultaneously predict responses to SSRIs, selective noradrenaline-reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and atypical antidepressants. The multiclass test, planned for 2026, could significantly reduce the time it takes to diagnose treatment-resistant depression.
Complementary Approaches to Treatment Selection
Existing DNA-based pharmacogenomic (PGx) tests focus on how individuals metabolize drugs, advising on dosage and potential drug interactions. However, the FDA has issued warnings about the lack of clinical efficacy of PGx assays in predicting antidepressant treatment response. Circular Genomics suggests that MindLight, which assesses the brain's response to SSRIs, and PGx tests could be used together to provide a more comprehensive picture for choosing the right antidepressant treatment. "MindLight determines the brain’s response to SSRIs, and the PGx tests assess the body’s ability to metabolize drugs. Because circRNA and PGx tests provide different perspectives, they could work together to provide a fuller picture for choosing the right antidepressant treatment," said Paul Sargeant, president and CEO of Circular Genomics.
Beyond Depression: A Pipeline of circRNA-Based Tests
Circular Genomics is also exploring the potential of circRNAs as biomarkers for other psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. The company has a pipeline of tests in development for differential diagnosis of depression/bipolar disorder, as well as disease-risk/diagnosis-response tests for Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Ongoing studies suggest that circRNAs can predict the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in pre-symptomatic older individuals, outperforming existing protein-based biomarker assays.
