News Release

Owl genomics presents a HEPATOCHIP for diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Business Announcement

Owl Genomics

OWL Genomics, biotechnological company, has presented at the CIC bioGUNE hold at the Bizkaia Technological Park (Derio), the first DNA chip concerning diagnosis and prognosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), allowing the discrimination between normal, steatosis and NASH predisposed subjects.

Non alcoholic steatohepatitis is a progressive disease of the liver of unknown etiology, characterized histologically by fatty acid accumulation, hepatocyte damage and inflammation resembling alcoholic hepatitis. NASH is a critical stage in the process that spans from hepatic steatosis to cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma. NASH is one of the most common causes of elevated aminotransfereases in patients referred for evaluation to hepatologists. Obesity and type-2 diabetes are associated to NASH. Since the prevalence of these diseases is increasing, the prevalence of NASH is also expected to increase and therefore, this disease has become an emerging public issue in United States as well as in other developed countries

The HEPATOCHIP presented at the mentioned forum, has been developed in collaboration with the Hepatology Services of the Clinic Hospital in Barcelona and Príncipe de Asturias Hospital in Alcalá de Henares (Madrid). This chip analyses the co-expression of 85 genes that are related with NASH and is about to be validated in collaboration with the Hepatology Service of Gregorio Marañón Hospital (Madrid).

This HEPATOCHIP method determines the co-expression of genes in the liver tissue sample, providing monitoring treatment regimens to check progression/regression of these liver pathologies.

This HEPATOCHIP can be used as a prognostic tool for NASH-predisposed patients, to make possible more finely tuned diagnosis of this disease and allow healthcare professionals to tailor treatment to individual patients' needs. This chip also assess the efficacy of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis treatment by determining progression or regression of NASH in patients before, during, and NASH treatment.

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OWL Genomics, a biotech company focused on providing leading-edge applications in human health with innovative and pioneer technologies within the international scientific community, provides the first product in early diagnosis and therapeutic targets in hepatic diseases.

OWL Genomics is devoted to research into the diagnosis and prevention of liver diseases, through the combination of its state-of-the-art technology and experienced and dedicated personnel.

http://www.owlgenomics.com


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