Richmond biotech BrainBox Solutions Inc., the maker of an artificial intelligence-enabled concussion test, has earned a broad patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a set of eight biomarkers that correlate to specific findings on MRI tests.
CEO Donna Edmonds said in a statement the biomarkers covered by the patent include indicators of specific brain dysfunction, “enabling objective assessments of longer-term injury risk and the need for further monitoring and diagnostic testing.”
The patent also provides a foundation for future application in the diagnosis and monitoring of neurologic disease, Edmunds said.
Its product incorporates a panel of its patented blood biomarkers as well as neurocognitive testing to provide a single–system score that measures the severity of a brain injury and post-concussive symptoms.
The company said its lead traumatic brain injury test for adults is in the final enrollment phase for a clinical trial that could lead to bringing the test to market in the U.S.
In March 2022, the company was awarded a $3.5 million grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke to support the development of a diagnostic tool for concussions and cognitive impairment in the elderly. The company said at the time the funding would allow it to expand its technology and collect more clinical and scientific evidence, bringing it closer to its goal of developing traumatic brain injury tests for all patient groups.
BrainBox is funding its trials through a $23 million Series A round announced in late 2020. That round was led by Massachusetts-based BioVentures Investors and included participation from the Tauber Foundation of Bethesda, the Virginia Tech Carilion Innovation and Seed Funds, San Francisco’s Genoa VC, New York’s Pharmakon Holdings LLC and additional investors, including NBA veteran Kevin Love.
The company has raised more than $32 million to date, according to Crunchbase.
In February, BrainBox announced it was collaborating with the chief medical officer of USA Hockey for a study evaluating blood and saliva biomarkers for concussion in elite prep hockey players.
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