Delhi-based biotech company Vgenomics has entered into a special partnership with Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital. The aim of this partnership is to detect the eye disease keratoconus at an early stage using a new technology. For this purpose, they have developed a unique tear-based biomarker, named VSP-2224. It has been developed with the help of AI technology and the RgenX-LENS platform by Vgenomics. The key feature of this biomarker is its ability to detect the disease even before symptoms appear. It is completely non-invasive (requires no surgery or painful procedures), allowing early diagnosis and better treatment outcomes.
Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease that affects the cornea (the transparent layer of the eye). It gradually weakens the vision and, if not treated in time, can lead to permanent vision loss. The current techniques used to detect this disease only become effective after significant corneal damage has already occurred, making timely treatment difficult.
More than 2% of India’s population is estimated to be affected by this disease, and it is also spreading rapidly in MENA (Middle East and North Africa) countries. Hence, early and accessible detection of the disease has become more important than ever.
Currently, VSP-2224 is undergoing clinical validation among patients, healthy individuals, and those receiving treatment. In addition, Vgenomics is also developing a new diagnostic kit called OcuTear, which will be a fast and easy point-of-care diagnostic panel for surface eye diseases, with VSP-2224 being the key marker for keratoconus. With this partnership and discovery, the care for keratoconus is becoming more accurate, faster, and patient-friendly.
