Non-invasive technologies for diagnosis and monitoring of inflammatory bowel diseases

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Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) are chronic immune-mediated disorders causing inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. IBD has emerged as a public health challenge, with >3.7 million people suffering from the disease alone in the EU, and a global prevalence exceeding 0.3%. Current diagnosis of IBD relies heavily on invasive colonoscopies and histological analysis of tissue biopsies. Less invasive methods for monitoring IBD show limitations to stratify patients and report disease severity. There is a strong demand for non-invasive technologies that can improve the diagnosis and stratification of IBD patients to optimal treatment choices whilst monitoring disease progression and response to therapy. This unmet patient need drives the development of the project IBDSENSE. IBDSENSE is an innovative fluorescence-based technology that can rapidly and selectively measure the activity of the human enzyme Granzyme B (GzmB) in patient biosamples. GzmB is secreted by T cells, which are key effector cells in IBD, and we have demonstrated that its activity is directly implicated in the inflammation of the guts from IBD patients. This project builds on the ERC PoC project IBDIMAGE, where the team has validated the technology to measure active GzmB in biosamples from non-IBD and IBD patients, displaying enhanced sensitivity and competitive advantages over existing technologies. Funding from EIC will scale up the IBDSENSE technology and transform research results into a market-creating innovation. We have built a high-quality team to 1) develop prototypes for clinical and at-home testing and validate them in application-relevant environments with input from healthcare professionals and patients as end-users, and 2) generate a credible business plan that culminates in the formation of a spin-out company. IBDSENSE will create broad social, economic and patient benefit by improving IBD diagnosis, facilitating disease monitoring and accelerating personalised treatments.