Sysmex is teaming up with fellow Japanese pharma company Eisai to develop a new generation of diagnostic reagents for dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, which is projected to affect an estimated 65.7 million people globally by 2030 according to the World Health Organization. The companies have entered into a non-exclusive collaboration to create novel IVD products that will enable early detection as well as help physicians in treatment selection and effectiveness monitoring.

Proteome Sciences' diagnostic technologies are showing promise in detecting the onset of Alzheimer's disease earlier than any other method according to data from ongoing clinical trials presented at the recent Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in Washington, July 18-23.

Finding growth opportunities in an era of constrained spending and health care reform is not an easy task, but an increasing number of companies operating in the diagnostics space are taking aim at one underserved area they believe will be a big winner in the years ahead: Alzheimer’s disease. This is a field still in its infancy and the risk of failure remains high. But as research progresses, it’s becoming clear that advances in AD diagnostics could play a major role in reducing that risk.