SaltCheck Develops First Simplified Test for Monitoring Salt Intake in People With Hypertension
26-Feb-2009
Boston, Massachusetts - SaltCheck, Inc. announced the completion of a 100 subject study demonstrating successful use of a new simplified test for monitoring sodium intake. The test, which can be used either for self-monitoring by people wit hypertension, or for point-of-care testing at the physician's office, is revolutionary in providing immediate feedback on urine sodium excretion, which closely mirrors sodium intake. It involves dipstick testing, with results refined by statistical adjustments derived from a series of clinical studies.
The World Health Organization estimates there are over 600 million people globally with hypertension, and salt intake is known to affect blood pressure and/or response to blood pressure medication in most. Awareness of salt intake, and efforts to reduce salt intake are receiving increasing emphasis. The National Institutes of Health has recommended limiting intake of salt upon diagnosis of hypertension.
The studies, which were conducted at Weill Cornell Medical College, and sponsored by SaltCheck, Inc., accurately estimated sodium excretion from a simple spot check of urine. The SaltCheck test provides a snapshot of the state of sodium excretion, and also correctly indicates whether a patient's sodium excretion over a 24-hour period is low or not, with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. Most important, it will be the first commercially-available test for assessing salt intake, and its ease of use and low cost will readily enable serial monitoring of salt intake, and of the effect of efforts to change salt intake.
The test also eliminates the two biggest drawbacks of the current testing method, which consists of collecting all urine during a 24 hour period, and sending it to a laboratory. "The standard test is frequently inaccurate because of incomplete collections, reflecting the difficulty and impracticality of collecting all urine for 24 hours. Worse, because the test is so cumbersome, very few doctors and patients ever evaluate salt intake, despite the growing and widespread awareness of its importance in managing hypertension," commented Marc Eichenberger, COO of Allied Minds, the parent company of SaltCheck.
Owing to its ease of use, suitability for serial monitoring, and accuracy of results, SaltCheck has the potential to help in the management of many millions with hypertension. Surveys suggest that physicians would embrace testing of their patients' salt intake if a convenient and inexpensive test were available. Testing could also help improve patient compliance with drug and dietary prescriptions.
"We are extremely pleased with the results from this significant study and the commercial progress to-date of the company. We very much look forward to bringing this groundbreaking test to the market to help patients and doctors worldwide in managing hypertension," added Mr. Eichenberger.
About SaltCheck, Inc. and Allied Minds, Inc.
SaltCheck is a privately-held startup company formed by Allied Minds, Inc. to commercialize a groundbreaking patient salt intake monitoring system that doesn't require laboratory facilities. The technology was originally developed at Weill Cornell Medical College by Drs. Samuel Mann and Linda Gerber, who conducted the studies reported here. For more information, please visit the SaltCheck website: www.saltcheck.com.
Allied Minds, Inc. is the premier seed organization for early-stage technology. The company focuses on converting academic discoveries into commercial reality by working exclusively with a network of U.S. universities and national labs. By filling the gap between government grants and traditional venture capitalists, Allied Minds focuses on funding innovations with significant transformative potential. Instead of managing funds, the company fosters early-stage companies through to success, generating value for all stakeholders. Allied Minds has a nationwide footprint with offices in Boston, Seattle, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, and a European presence in London, United Kingdom. Website: www.alliedminds.com
Disclosure
Weill Cornell Medical College requires their faculty members Drs Mann and Gerber to disclose that they and Weill Cornell Medical College have a potential financial interest in the outcome of this study.
Website: http://www.saltcheck.com/
