Preeclampsia program
Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy specific disease that is characterized by hypertension and proteinuria. It is generally accepted that the exact causes of PE are unkown. If the pregnancy is left to continue to full term with PE present, the disease will progress to Eclampsia and result in seizure, coma and mortality.
Screening for preeclampsia
To date there are no reliable diagnostics or biomarkers that can accurately predict the onset of PE available for patients. PE is currently diagnosed by its symptoms which are non-specific to PE.
Miraculins' preeclampsia diagnostic test
In October 2008, Miraculins announced the execution of a license agreement with Mount Sinai hospital to acquire the rights to commercialize a portfolio of biomarkers for use in developing diagnostic assays for the early detection of preeclampsia. In January 2010 the program was partenred with Inverness Medical innovations (NYSE: IMA), one of the world's largest diagnostics companies.
Diagnosing PE in the early stages of a pregnancy can:
- Help women avoid an unexpected traumatic event when they go into labour
- Aid in the decision to manage PE patients with bed rest, vitamins and extra care during pregnancy
- Could help researchers develop PE therapeutics
Preeclampsia facts
- PE is the leading cause of maternal and prenatal deaths worldwide, affecting 7-10 percent of all pregnancies
- In the US alone, PE is responsible for 18 percent of all maternal deaths, 80,000 premature births and numerous neonatal complications
- It is estimated that preeclampsia costs the global health care system US $3 billion per year