EDIT-B^®: Advanced Diagnostic Support for Mental Health

EDIT-B^® is a CE marked and patented In Vitro Medical Device (IVD) designed for qualitative differentiation between bipolar disorder and depression. This blood test is specifically intended for use in adult patients (18 years and older), who are experiencing moderate to severe depression symptoms at the moment of the tests and are receiving treatment for their condition.

EDIT-B^® is available under the name myEDIT-B in Europe. For more information, please see “Process, partners & Availabilities” below.

Enhancing Clinical Decision-Making

As a blood test, EDIT-B^® serves as a critical decision-support tool for psychiatrists and doctors. It aids clinicians by enhancing the diagnostic process and, by doing so, aims to accelerate the selection of appropriate therapeutic treatments. With its innovative approach, EDIT-B^®’s ambition is to significantly reduce the common diagnostic uncertainty associated with bipolar disorder, facilitating more targeted and effective treatment strategies.

Proven Effectiveness Through Clinical Trials

Since its inception in 2016, Alcediag has conducted extensive clinical trials involving several hundred patients. EDIT-B^® has demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy on several independant cohorts, with both sensitivity and specificity rates exceeding 80%. These trials underscore its reliability and effectiveness in clinical settings. For more information about our clinical trials, please click here.

Advanced Technology for Precise Diagnostics

EDIT-B^® leverages cutting-edge RNA sequencing technology combined with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to analyze RNA-editing modification patterns in whole blood. It also incorporates individual patient data such as age, sex, current treatments, and any addictions, to ensure a comprehensive and precise diagnosis. To learn more about the technology behind EDIT-B^®, please click here.

A Solution at the service of patients and physicians

EDIT-B^® blood test is designed to revolutionize patient care by providing crucial biological data that assists in several key areas. We work for the patients and their well-being : it is our priority. We are also at the service of physicians: EDIT-B^® is designed to integrate seamlessly into their current practice, enhancing their ability to make informed decisions while respecting their central role in the management and care of their patients. Through this approach, we ensure that our innovations empower both patients and their healthcare providers, making a significant impact on mental health treatment.

• Facilitating Diagnosis: By leveraging biological data to make diagnosing faster and more accurate.
• Reducing Suffering Time: Aiming to decrease the duration of suffering for patients and their loved ones by promoting earlier diagnosis and treatment.
• Easing the Delivery of Diagnosis: This helps in delivering the diagnosis in a manner that builds trust and fosters a strong therapeutic alliance.
• Supporting Therapeutic Choices: Offering valuable insights that assist healthcare professionals in making informed decisions in complex clinical situations.

Mental disorders are classified as one of the 10 most incapacitating pathologies. Depression is one of the most common ones with an estimated 5% of adults or 300 million people suffering from it according to the World Health Organization. Bipolar disorder is one of the most serious with 40 million people diagnosed worldwide in 2019, and a high level of underdiagnosis. In Europe, it is estimated between 2% and 4% of the population is affected by this chronic mental illness.

Depression is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in daily activities. Individuals experiencing depression may also struggle with changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, and a pervasive sense of fatigue. This condition can significantly impact not only the individual’s daily functioning but also strain relationships with family and friends.

On the other hand, bipolar disorder is a chronic disease marked by mood swings, cycling between periods of mania or hypomania and severe depression. During manic episodes, individuals may experience heightened energy levels, impulsivity, and a decreased need for sleep. These episodes are followed by depressive periods characterized by the symptoms mentioned earlier. The nature of bipolar disorder can be challenging for both the affected individuals and their loved ones, as it may lead to difficulties in personal and professional lives.

Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder

Today, the diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder is mainly based on a psychiatric examination, carried out by a specialist using questionnaires, interviews and several validated scales.

According to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental illness), the typical delay for receiving a diagnosis of bipolar disorder is around 8 years. Several publications highlight the difficulty to accurately diagnose it (Bipolar disorder diagnosis: challenges and future directions): “Bipolar disorder is an especially good example of a group of psychiatric illnesses that are difficult to diagnose accurately. For example, although this disorder, along with other psychiatric illnesses, is one of the ten most debilitating of all non-communicable diseases, misdiagnosis of the illness as recurrent unipolar depression occurs in 60% of patients seeking treatment for depression”.

The consequences of a delayed diagnosis

A delayed diagnosis of bipolar disorder can have profound impacts not only on the patient, but also on their loved ones. When bipolar disorder goes unrecognized or misdiagnosed, patients may suffer through unnecessary hardships and ineffective treatments, exacerbating the emotional and psychological toll and leading to significant disruptions in their personal and professional lives. 

Recognizing the symptoms and seeking a timely diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and management of both depression and bipolar disorder. An accurate diagnosis allows for the implementation of tailored treatment plans, which may include therapy, medication, or a combination of both. It promotes better outcomes for the patient for mental as well as physical health. Additionally, the support of family and friends plays a vital role in the overall well-being of individuals dealing with these mental health conditions.

As a blood test, EDIT-B^® is prescribed by a psychiatrist or general practitioner and requires a blood draw that is performed according to local standards. The test is exclusively conducted within medical biology laboratories. The results are sent within 4 weeks to the prescribing doctor who will use them in his diagnostic and patient management process:

For more information, please refer to the FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions available in the Resources section.

EDIT-B^® is available in some European countries under the name MyEDIT-B via an exclusive partnership with Synlab Group:

• For more information about myEDIT-B in Italy, please click here
• For more information about myEDIT-B in France, please click here in France