Glycotest

Glycotest is a diagnostics company focused on developing and commercializing non-invasive blood tests for severe liver diseases, including liver cancer and fibrosis-cirrhosis. Founded in 2012, the company originated from technology developed at Drexel University College of Medicine and the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute. The foundational technology was created by Professors Timothy Block and Anand Mehta, experts in liver disease and glycobiology. Dr. Mehta, now the SmartState Endowed Chair of Proteomic Biomarkers at the Medical University of South Carolina, developed a "glycoproteomics" method to identify serum biomarkers for liver disease, leading to over 50 patented biomarkers.

The company's core business revolves around providing these novel blood tests to hepatologists and gastroenterologists who manage patients with chronic liver conditions. Glycotest's business model is centered on commercializing its tests as clinical laboratory services in the United States through its own CLIA-certified lab. A key part of its strategy includes a partnership with Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. ("Fosun Pharma"), which has invested in the company and holds an exclusive license to manufacture and sell Glycotest's flagship product in China, in exchange for royalties on sales. Glycotest has raised a total of $12.5M, with Fosun Pharma being a lead investor.

Glycotest's primary product is the HCC Panel, a blood test designed for the early detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), the most prevalent form of liver cancer. The HCC Panel is an algorithm-driven test that utilizes a panel of proprietary fucosylated biomarkers. Its technology works by measuring the amount of the monosaccharide fucose that abnormally appears on certain serum glycoproteins to indicate the likelihood of disease. This allows for the early detection of curable liver cancer in high-risk patient populations, such as those with chronic viral hepatitis or non-viral hepatitis like NASH. In multiple clinical studies, the HCC Panel has demonstrated superior performance in detecting early-stage HCC compared to the current standard blood test, AFP.

Keywords: liver disease diagnostics, blood tests, hepatocellular carcinoma, fibrosis-cirrhosis, non-invasive diagnostics, glycobiology, proteomic biomarkers, early cancer detection, chronic liver disease, NASH, HCC Panel, serum glycoprotein biomarkers, algorithm-driven diagnostics, clinical laboratory services, CLIA lab, Fosun Pharma, Drexel University, Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Timothy Block, Anand Mehta, fucosylated biomarkers, liquid biopsy