Minapath: a novel and unique method to diagnose and prevent diseases that are caused by exposure and accumulation of inorganic mineral dusts.
Today healthcare faces critical challenges coming from an ageing population and the rise of chronic diseases. With a population expected to reach 9 billion people by 2050, healthcare expenditure is at risk of becoming unsustainable. Sustainability requires diagnostic methods to become more efficient, fast and accurate, to facilitate the use of adequate therapy. Despite the effort being made, there are still many diseases that get categorized as idiopathic (unknown cause). Specially in the lung, many inflammatory conditions fall under idiopathic category and stay undiagnosed, while slowly progressing, deteriorating the patient’s quality of life. However, many idiopathic conditions do have a common factor: exposure to mineral dusts such as asbestos, silica or metals (nickel, cadmium & cobalt). We are all at risk of exposure to these minerals, from the environment and workplace, being an occupational hazard in industrial settings and construction sites. Importantly, many of these mineral dusts are carcinogenic, contributing to the increasing prevalence of cancer globally. Despite their impact, today there are no dedicated diagnostic tests to assess mineral exposure, and diagnosis is mostly based on exclusion. In response, we at Minapath have developed a unique method that combines qualitative & quantitative analysis to diagnose the patient’s mineral exposome, serving to identify the underlying cause behind many cases of inflammatory & cancer conditions. After demonstrating the diagnostic relationship between mineral deposits and idiopathic pulmonary diseases, our goal with this project is to finalise the development of our technology and reach market maturity. To achieve these goals, in Phase 1 we aim to carry a Feasibility Study that help us prepare for the main technical, commercial and financial aspects influencing the project. Once completed, our technology will bring significant impacts to society and healthcare, contributing to its efficiency and sustainability.