The European program InnoBuyer funds the EndoPath project, with participation from IDIAPJGol
The project developed by the GRASSIR group and VHIR addresses the diagnostic delay of endometriosis with a test based on non-invasive biomarkers, aiming to more efficiently detect endometriosis from Primary Care
The EndoPath project, driven by the Research Group on Sexual and Reproductive Health Care (GRASSIR) from IDIAPJGol and the Biomedical Research Group in Gynecology at the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), has received funding from the EIC Solvers call of the European InnoBuyer consortium. With this funding, EndoPath will develop a diagnostic tool capable of detecting endometriosis early, starting from Primary Care.
Why is it important?
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects 10% of women of reproductive age. Despite its prevalence, the diagnosis is often delayed by more than ten years due to the lack of standardized protocols and non-invasive diagnostic tools that could identify it in its early stages. This situation has significant impacts on both the quality of life of patients and the efficiency of the healthcare system. EndoPath aims to improve the management of this disease in Primary Care.
The contribution of EndoPath
The project aims to improve diagnosis by developing non-invasive biomarkers detectable in cervical fluid, allowing early and objective detection of endometriosis. At the same time, it seeks to reduce diagnostic delays by providing results in less than 48 hours and facilitating referral to specialists only when necessary. EndoPath also aims to empower Primary Care professionals by providing them with effective tools to more accurately identify patients with endometriosis during consultation.
The project
EndoPath will implement a diagnostic test based on immunoassay (ELISA), which will detect specific proteins associated with endometriosis from a sample of cervical fluid, obtained non-invasively and with minimal discomfort for the patient. The samples will be analyzed in a clinical laboratory, which will generate a report that allows Primary Care professionals to refer higher-risk patients to specialized services. The collaboration between GRASSIR and VHIR, along with the Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus spin-off MiMARK Diagnostics, builds on previously generated knowledge and applies it in developing a viable solution that could ultimately be adopted by other healthcare systems.