VolitionRx Limited (NYSE American: VNRX), a multinational epigenetics company, has announced the publication of a peer-reviewed paper in Critical Care Medicine reporting that its Nu.Q NETs H3.1 biomarker is an independent predictor of 28-day mortality and the need for renal replacement therapy in patients with sepsis and septic shock. The study found significantly higher Nu.Q NETs H3.1 levels in septic shock patients compared to those with sepsis, and a dose-response relationship with acute kidney injury severity, supporting its potential use for risk stratification and early intervention.
The journal also published an independent editorial examining H3.1 nucleosomes as a potential marker of NET-mediated organ injury. These findings underscore the clinical utility of measuring NETosis, a process involving neutrophil extracellular traps that can contribute to organ damage in severe infections.
Volition said the findings support ongoing commercial and licensing discussions for Nu.Q NETs, its nucleosome quantification technology designed to detect diseases associated with NETosis. The company believes the test could help clinicians anticipate disease progression, guide treatment decisions, and monitor patients over time across acute and chronic conditions. Volition cited a total addressable market of $2.8 billion for the technology and said the latest findings add to previously published evidence supporting its potential clinical utility.
Dr. Andrew Retter, Medical Consultant at Volition, stated: “Introducing Nu.Q NETs into hospitals, as a treatable, trackable trait, could lead to new ways of treating sepsis, improve patient survival and the quality of life of survivors.”
The implications of this research are significant for the management of sepsis, a life-threatening condition that affects millions worldwide. Early identification of patients at higher risk of deterioration could enable more timely and targeted interventions, potentially reducing mortality and long-term complications. The biomarker’s ability to predict the need for renal replacement therapy is particularly relevant, as acute kidney injury is a common and serious complication of sepsis.
For the healthcare industry, this test could become a valuable tool in intensive care units, aiding in personalized treatment strategies and resource allocation. The $2.8 billion addressable market reflects the broad potential applications of Nu.Q NETs beyond sepsis, including chronic conditions associated with NETosis.
Volition’s research and development activities are centered in Belgium, with an innovation laboratory and office in the U.S. and an office in London. The company is dedicated to advancing the science of epigenetics and developing simple, cost-effective blood tests for early detection and monitoring of diseases.
For more information, visit the company’s website at https://volition.com/.
