FUTURE Targets & MARKETS

Satoris diagnostic test for Alzheimer’s disease has been shown to be ~90% accurate in identifying Alzheimer's disease. The test is sensitive enough to distinguish AD from other dementias, and is even ~90% accurate in identifying AD in at-risk MCI patients — two years earlier than a clinician could diagnose. Satoris is currently readying the AD test for commercialization, and will then apply the same unique approach to developing diagnostic tools for other neurological diseases. Major target candidates include:

Mild Cognitive Impairment (8 million)

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a disorder characterized by short-term memory loss, but no other decline in thinking functions. Typically, MCI patients have trouble remembering the names of people they met recently, trouble remembering the flow of a conversation, and an increased tendency to misplace things, or similar problems. A significant number of MCI patients progress to Alzheimer’s disease. For more information, see the University of Florida's AlzOnline web site.

Diabetic Neuropathy (1 million)

Diabetic neuropathies are nerve disorders caused by diabetes and experienced by ~60-70 percent of all diabetics. Neuropathies lead to numbness and sometimes pain and weakness in the hands, arms, feet, and legs. Problems may also occur in every organ system. The longer a person has diabetes, the greater the risk of neuropathy. For more information on diabetic neuropathies, see the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse.

Parkinson’s (1 million)

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive disorder that results from degeneration and premature death of dopamine-producing brain cells. Symptoms generally include tremor, muscle stiffness or rigidity, and slowness of movement. Medication is somewhat effective for a limited period, generally four to eight years, but eventually the medications lose their effectiveness, leaving the victim unable to move, speak or swallow. For more information on Parkinson's disease, see the Parkinson's Action Network.

Multiple Sclerosis (0.5 million)

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Cells of the immune system attack myelin, the insulating sheath that surrounds CNS nerve fibers. When myelin is damaged, electrical impulses cannot travel quickly in the brain and spinal cord. Disruption of electrical conductivity results in fatigue and disturbances of vision, strength, coordination, balance, sensations, as well as bladder and bowel function. For more information on multiple sclerosis, see the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America.