Nanostics and OncoHelix have teamed up to provide Nanostics’ prostate cancer blood test ClarityDX Prostate to healthcare providers and men in the Middle East.
Under the deal, OncoHelix will offer the ClarityDX test to healthcare providers and patients in the Middle East through an Abu Dhabi-based laboratory it operates in partnership with UAE-based healthcare group Burjeel Holdings.
The ClarityDX Prostate test integrates clinical data with AI-powered learning models to generate a personalised risk score based on high prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and digital rectal examination (DRE) results. The tool offers support to men and healthcare providers in making informed decisions about whether to proceed with a biopsy.
PSA and DRE are two primary tools used in the early detection of prostate cancer. Elevated levels of PSA, a protein produced by the prostate, may indicate the presence of cancer or other prostate conditions. DRE involves a physical examination where a healthcare professional assesses the prostate for abnormalities such as lumps or enlargement.
OncoHelix’s CEO Faisal Khan said: “We are thrilled to partner with Nanostics to bring the ClarityDX Prostate test to the Middle East. This advanced diagnostic tool will empower healthcare providers with better, data-driven insights, enabling earlier detection and more targeted treatment for men at risk of aggressive prostate cancer in the region.”
This news comes the same week that New York-based Protean BioDiagnostics signed an agreement to market Nanostics' prostate cancer risk assessment tool in the US. The testing service will be provided at Protean’s CLIA-certified laboratory in Orlando, Florida. In September 2023, OncoHelix launched the test in Alberta, Canada from the company’s clinical lab in Edmonton.
In a 3448-patient study published in npj Digital Medicine, the device reported 95% sensitivity, 35% specificity, 54% positive predictive value, and 91% negative predictive value for predicting clinically significant prostate cancer. Using ClarityDX Prostate could avoid up to 35% of unnecessary prostate biopsies.
The use of AI to help in the detection of cancer is on the rise. In May 2024, Cortechs.ai announced the commercial launch of its advanced imaging solution, OnQ Prostate, for detecting prostate cancer. The post-processing software is designed to assist radiologists by enhancing the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer.
