DxA Invests Over $7M in C2N Diagnostics' Alzheimer's Blood Tests

The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) has announced a significant investment in C2N Diagnostics, totaling $7 million. This marks the largest investment from ADDF’s Diagnostics Accelerator (DxA) to date, emphasizing DxA's commitment to pioneering new biomarkers, including blood tests, that promise to revolutionize Alzheimer's diagnostics. Blood-based biomarkers are vital for advancing combination therapy and precision medicine in Alzheimer's, similar to approaches used in cancer treatment.

Dr. Howard Fillit, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer at ADDF, highlights the crucial role of blood tests in Alzheimer's detection and treatment. He points out that the PTau217 biomarker has become the leading standard for blood-based diagnostic tests. C2N's PrecivityAD2® test stands out for its high sensitivity and accuracy, potentially replacing more invasive procedures like PET scans and spinal taps. This investment aims to make these critical diagnostic tools more accessible to patients, aligning with DxA's mission to develop scalable diagnostics.

C2N Diagnostics has consistently been at the forefront of innovation in blood tests for Alzheimer's. Their PrecivityAD® blood test, initially brought to market with ADDF's support, exemplifies their trailblazing efforts. With the new funding, C2N plans to develop a deployable version of its blood biomarker platform, akin to Roche's Elecsys and Fujirebio's Lumipulse. This development will facilitate global access to these tests, strengthening the ongoing partnership between ADDF and C2N.

Joel Braunstein, MD, CEO and Co-Founder of C2N, expressed gratitude towards ADDF's DxA for their support, acknowledging the significance of being the largest recipient of DxA funding. C2N is focusing on creating an end-to-end clinical mass spectrometry solution to enable high-performance Alzheimer's testing worldwide. They believe that a decentralized and regulatory-compliant process for high-performance testing is essential to meet the growing global demand for early and accurate disease detection.

The DxA's portfolio is diverse, including blood-based biomarkers, ocular tests, and digital tools. It has invested over $70 million in more than 60 projects. Future Alzheimer's diagnostics will integrate these tools, offering early and accurate diagnoses, and potential for screening, prognostic, and prevention efforts. Dr. Niranjan Bose from Gates Ventures underscores the importance of accessible and scalable biomarkers for early diagnosis and intervention, which can significantly impact disease progression.

Advancements in blood tests for Alzheimer's are expected to accelerate drug development and clinical trials by providing quicker and more cost-effective ways to enroll patients and monitor new drug targets. Ultimately, these blood tests and novel biomarkers will pave the way for combination therapy and precision medicine, the ultimate goal in Alzheimer's treatment.

The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, founded in 1998, is dedicated to accelerating drug discovery to prevent, treat, and cure Alzheimer's disease. It is the only public charity focused solely on funding drug development for Alzheimer's, utilizing a venture philanthropy model. ADDF has played a pivotal role in bringing significant diagnostic tools to market, such as the first Alzheimer's PET scan and blood test. Through donor contributions, ADDF has awarded over $290 million to fund more than 750 programs and clinical trials in 20 countries.

The Diagnostics Accelerator, created in 2018, is a $100 million global research initiative aimed at developing novel biomarkers for early Alzheimer's detection. It supports research through awards and consulting access to industry experts, challenging the research community to develop innovative biomarkers.

C2N Diagnostics, a specialty diagnostics company, aims to provide exceptional clinical laboratory services and advanced diagnostic solutions in brain health. Their high-resolution mass spectrometry-based biomarker services are crucial for clinical decision-making and improving patient care. C2N has collaborated with numerous entities to expand access to Precivity™ testing globally. Their efforts are supported by organizations like the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer's Association.