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VolitionRx's Innovative Inclusion in Sepsis Detection in France

VolitionRx Limited, a global leader in the field of epigenetics, has recently made significant strides in the medical community with the inclusion of its Nu.Q® NETs H3.1 assay in the DETECSEPS initiative. This groundbreaking project, aimed at advancing early detection of sepsis, received the French government’s support under the France 2030 plan, indicating a national commitment to tackling this critical health issue. The DETECSEPS consortium, which includes leading hospitals and industry partners, aims to implement innovative strategies to improve emergency care pathways for patients at risk of severe infections progressing to sepsis.

The Importance of Early Detection

Sepsis remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality across the globe. Reports indicate that annually, sepsis cases number around 166 million, resulting in approximately 21.4 million deaths. Survivors often encounter long-term health complications, with notable statistics revealing a one-year mortality rate for sepsis survivors of about 33% and a high rate of re-admission to hospitals shortly after discharge. Under these circumstances, the urgency for reliable and efficient diagnostic tools becomes increasingly apparent.

The DETECSEPS initiative harnesses the potential of VolitionRx’s Nu.Q® H3.1 assay coupled with the NEWS2 clinical scoring system. This innovative combination seeks to provide healthcare professionals with a robust framework for identifying patients who are at high risk for sepsis, thereby enabling timely and appropriate interventions. Professor Djillali Annane of IHU SEPSIS, underscores that this dual strategy can significantly enhance diagnostic performance and potentially transform emergency management for at-risk patients.

Government Backing and Implementation

The DETECSEPS consortium has been awarded approximately €6.3 million (~$7.3 million) in funding by the French government, emphasizing the project’s importance on a national level. In addition to VolitionRx, Euroimmun is another significant player in this consortium, providing the necessary automated analyzer for rapid and accurate results.

With the capacity to deliver biomarker levels in as little as one hour, the Nu.Q® H3.1 assay stands to innovate how healthcare providers assess risk and manage sepsis effectively. Dr. Andrew Retter, VolitionRx's Chief Medical Officer, remarks on the assay's ability to enhance traditional clinical scoring systems, which can ultimately improve patient outcomes in emergency situations.

Long-term Goals and Impacts

The ambitions of the DETECSEPS project extend beyond immediate outcomes, aiming for a substantial reduction in the socio-economic burden associated with sepsis. The consortium intends to facilitate early discharges to home care when risks are low or initiate critical care protocols in cases deemed high risk. With Professor Sébastien Beaune leading the consortium’s efforts, the focus remains on generating measurable impacts not only within France but also internationally in other healthcare systems.

The relevance of this initiative cannot be overstated, as the burden of sepsis affects healthcare systems globally. The hope is that through improved screening techniques, the rates of severe complications and mortality due to sepsis can be significantly diminished.

Conclusion

VolitionRx’s participation in the DETECSEPS project is a pivotal step toward operationalizing epigenetics in clinical settings. The potential of the Nu.Q® H3.1 assay to redefine practices in sepsis detection holds great promise for enhancing patient care and outcomes. As the initiative gears up, the medical community watches with interest, hoping that these advancements will lead to a tangible reduction in sepsis-related health crises worldwide.