Aqsens Health’s 2024 wrap-up
As another year comes to an end, it is a time to look back on the highlights of Aqsens Health’s 2024.
In early 2024 we began a Parkinson’s disease research collaboration with Professor of Neurology Valtteri Kaasinen from the Turku University Hospital. This research study aims to improve Parkinson’s diagnostics by separating it from the control group who have similar symptoms, which forms the basis for the proper treatment and medication, potentially replacing the expensive and cumbersome DaTscan test. The sample (saliva, urine and serum) collection progressed according to the plan throughout the year and we were able to start measurement analyses in November and reported first promising results just before Christmas. We will come out with the results and our next steps with this research project in the beginning of 2025.
During the winter in early 2024 we also started a research collaboration with the Lung Transplantation team at the Harvard Medical School. This research study uses our biosensor method to define biomarkers which can predict chronic rejection in organ transplantation at an early stage. We received the first set of samples (saliva, urine and serum) in the summer and delivered promising measurement results, which together with complementary analyses using single-cell sequencing and mass spectrometry will take our collaboration further and build a scientific foundation for both IPR purposes and a high-quality scientific publication.
Our spreadshed project Biourica that focuses on prostate, bladder and metastatic cancers both in Finland (HUS, TYKS / Auria Biobank) and in China (Nanjing Cancer Hospital, OG Pharmaceuticals) is progressing as planned. Bladder cancer analyses were completed and the first results delivered to the participating research institutions in December. A scientific publication is in progress and a sample collection of six different organ originated metastatic cancers is ready for measurements using our new cancer tissue specific biosensors.
We also prepared a new project with the Helsinki University Hospital to detect, classify and to characterize prostate cancer Grade Groups 4 and 5 and their respective biomarkers together with the Tarto University. At the same time we have reached the sample amount needed (approx. 1,000 samples, with the same cohort definition) for a preclinical trial in China (Nanjing, Jiangsu). These critical measurements, both at HUS and in China, will be completed during the 1H of 2025, and they will also be important in taking the next steps in the Biourica project.
The Biosaliva research study (lung cancer and tuberculosis) with the Jiao Tong University in Shanghai is progressing as planned and samples will be ready for analysis in 2Q 2025. We started training the research project teams in Shanghai for both Biourica and Biosaliva this December. We are also in the process of deploying the AQ Lab software platform to a Chinese healthcare grade cloud environment to ensure high quality project management for both projects.
Efforts to detect malaria from saliva and serum samples have been temporarily on hold due to challenges in securing the financial resources needed to analyze 2,500 samples in Ghana. This pause is partly a result of prioritizing key projects, such as Biourica, and partly due to political changes in Ghana. However, following the conclusion of the Ghanaian presidential election in early December, we have received information that the project will resume in January 2025.
Scientifically in 2024, we made three major breakthroughs. We increased the overall accuracy of our method by developing a fractionation process for the sample matrices, with related biosensor development and reference biosensors. Another important discovery was that biosensors developed to measure different matrices but the same disease can complement and strengthen diagnoses, delivering critical information for AI and multi-omics applications. The third invention relates to the process to develop tissue specific biosensors, which is important when analysing for example different organ originated urinary tract cancers from urine, which is the focus of the Biourica project.
During 2024 we also strengthened our operations: Elinda Hermanson, Master of Science in Cell Biology from Åbo Akademi, joined us as an Application Scientist in January and started her journey with biosensors. Vilhelmiina Juusti took on the role of COO, Paul Eros became a Senior Business Advisor, and the founder of the company and the Dean of the Medical Faculty at the University of Turku Professor Pekka Hänninen assumed the role as a Chairman of the Board of Directors. In the autumn Uzma Riyaz joined us as a Project Coordinator in Boston for intensified collaboration with the Harvard Medical School and on other potential projects in the Boston area.
Overall, 2024 presented significant challenges, especially for ambitious medtech startups like Aqsens Health, striving to transform disease detection through cost-efficient and precise non-invasive sampling.
Despite the difficulties we encountered this year, we are proud of the milestones we achieved. We want to thank everyone for their support in 2024 – we look forward to continuing this important journey of advancing innovative health solutions together in 2025 🌟
Aqsens Health’s team wishes everyone a Happy New Year 2025!
