Key points from article :
Sunbird Bio recently secured $14 million in funding to further develop its blood testing platform for neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
The company's innovative technology aims to detect disease-related proteins like amyloid beta, tau, and alpha-synuclein, which are critical in the progression of these conditions. This platform offers a non-invasive alternative to traditional methods such as PET scans and spinal taps, which are more expensive and less accessible.
The APEX Aβ test, one of Sunbird Bio’s key developments, accurately detects low levels of amyloid beta in the blood. This protein reflects the buildup of plaques in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. The test focuses on extracellular vesicle-associated amyloid beta that crosses the blood-brain barrier. In a recent clinical study, the APEX test successfully identified patients with amyloid beta accumulation, producing results that aligned with PET scan findings.
Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Singapore, Sunbird Bio aims to make early and accurate diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases more accessible. The company believes this will improve treatment outcomes by providing earlier intervention opportunities. With this new round of funding, which includes investments from Eli Lilly, EDBI, ClavystBio, Polaris Partners, and S32, Sunbird plans to open a state-of-the-art laboratory and launch further clinical trials by early 2025.
CEO of Sunbird Bio emphasises the significant potential of their blood-based platform to provide a more scalable and cost-effective solution compared to existing diagnostic methods. He also highlights the global impact this technology could have, particularly for the millions of people affected by debilitating neurological diseases. The funding positions the company to continue pushing forward its clinical development and expand its testing capabilities as new biomarkers are discovered.
