Specialty Diagnostic Company IQuity Introduces First RNA-Based Blood Test to Identify IBS and IBD

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Nashville-based life science technology company IQuity has announced the release of IsolateIBS-IBD, a groundbreaking blood test that helps providers identify irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) much earlier than previously possible, which can lead to earlier treatment and better outcomes for patients.

IsolateIBS-IBD uses a simple blood draw to identify, with greater than 90 percent accuracy, if a patient's RNA profile indicates the presence of IBS or IBD. Within IBD, the test can give the provider information to distinguish between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. IsolateIBS-IBD is available for providers to order at IQuity.com. The ability to differentiate between IBS and IBD is a particularly important breakthrough, as the two conditions have similar early symptoms but call for different treatments.

"The process of diagnosing IBS and IBD can be time-consuming and physically and emotionally draining for patients," said Dr. Chase Spurlock, CEO of IQuity. "With IsolateIBS-IBD, we're providing a potent new tool to aid physicians as they work with patients to achieve an accurate, early diagnosis. We want to help eliminate uncertainty and give physicians and patients information that they can trust, leading to an early and effective treatment."

Physicians typically diagnose IBS and IBD using a process of elimination that can take months or years. In this process, patients undergo a series of physical tests that can include x-rays, stool analysis and endoscopies. Because the diseases have similar symptoms that frequently flare up or recede, misdiagnosis is common.

IBS affects 10 to 15 percent of Americans, according to the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. Although IBD is less common — according to the CDC, around 3 million Americans suffer from either Crohn's or colitis —it can cause permanent harm to the intestines or intestinal bleeding if it's allowed to progress without treatment.

IQuity released its first test, IsolateMS, in August, and is preparing to release a third test, IsolateFibromyalgia, before the end of the year. All three tests were developed using the proprietary IQIsolate technology, which applies machine-learning methods to create a suite of algorithms that compares the RNA profile from patient blood samples against a robust data set of healthy and sick patients identified through IQuity's research.

"RNA testing has the potential to transform the process of medical diagnostics," Spurlock said. "We're excited to continue pursuing innovations in this field."

About IQuity:
IQuity is a life science technology company that analyzes RNA expression data from whole blood to identify the presence or absence of autoimmune disease and monitor disease progression at the cellular level. The accuracy of this process at the earliest onset of symptoms exceeds 90%. This innovation shortens the diagnostic process for autoimmune disease and related conditions. For more information, visit http://iquity.com and find us on Facebook and Twitter at @iquityinc.

CONTACT:
Melinda LaFollette
615.515.4884
[email protected]

SOURCE IQuity

Related Links

https://iquity.com