Sarissa Biomedical.

Rapid test for stroke.

Sarissa Biomedical has developed the world’s first blood test for stroke. It is a simple finger-prick blood test delivering greater diagnostic accuracy within 3 minutes, helping rapid intervention to prevent less severe disabilities and shorter hospital stays.

Technology & Products.

Sarissa’s SMARTChip is a purine biosensor which uses a finger-prick sample of blood to detect ischaemic brain events that occur during a stroke. ATP is the fuel used by all cells (including brain cells) to do work. In a healthy brain, cells continually regenerate ATP, but disruption of the blood supply (ischemia) prevents cells from getting nutrients. They can no longer regenerate ATP. Within seconds ATP breaks down into ‘purines’ which are released into the blood. Sarissa holds a number of patents on the technology

The Market.

Ischemic stroke (85% of all strokes) is a highly treatable neuroemergency. For patients experiencing acute ischemic stroke, and for the physicians and allied health personnel treating them, every second counts. Stroke is the fourth highest cause of death and the major cause of adult disability; it affects over 50 million people a year in the USA and Europe and is a major healthcare burden globally, with direct care costs estimated to be $33bn annually for the USA and €37bn in Europe.

Business Model.

Product development for the advanced prototype SMARTChip system has been completed and the manufacturing process validated. The company will carry out a pivotal hospital-based clinical study to validate the biomarker in 2020. The study will then be expanded to include ambulance/paramedic use. Following completion of full product development, the company expects to obtain European and US regulatory clearance and launch products in 2023. Sarissa closed £1.2m investment in 2020 to continue trials and will be raising Series A funding of £5m in 2021.

Fundraising to date.

2004 – £500k Wellcome Trust, Midven, Mercia
2009 – £270k DTI grant & Mercia 2014 – £400k i4i grant
2017 – £2m SBRI grant
2018 – £500k H2020 grant
2020 – £1.2m Mercia et al.

Team.

Chairman: Bill Moffitt
CEO: Dr John Clarkson
CTO: Prof. Nick Dale
NEDs: George Zajicek, Prof. Bruno Frenguelli

Contact: CEO john.clarkson@sarissa-biomedical.com Website: http://sarissa-diagnostics.com/