Danaher Beacon: Danaher Corporation and Huashan Hospital Affiliated with Fudan University Collaborate on Innovative Diagnostic Solutions for Early Alzheimer's Disease Detection
Danaher
Product Design and Manufacturer
(January 20, 2025, Shanghai)Danaher, the global innovator in science and technology, announced that its operating company, Beckman Coulter Laboratory Systems (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., has partnered with Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University to jointly develop innovative solutions for the early diagnosis and differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This collaboration aims to better meet the need for earlier and more precise diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. This is also an initiative by Danaher working alongside Chinese scientists.The FirstDanaher Beacon Research Collaboration Program.
Alzheimer's disease is a common neurodegenerative disease leading to cognitive impairment. According to the literature published in The Lancet Public Health, the total number of AD patients aged over 60 in China is currently about 9.83 million.[1]. In the early stages, patients have mild and non-specific clinical symptoms, which are easily overlooked, posing challenges for early diagnosis. With the successive approval and market launch of novel monoclonal antibody drugs, a glimmer of hope has emerged for disease-modifying therapies for AD. However, the clinical application of these therapies relies on the precise diagnosis of AD. Blood biomarkers, with the advantages of convenient collection, suitability for large-scale screening, and long-term monitoring, are playing an increasingly crucial role in AD clinical practice.
Medical institutions and scientific research institutes are the birthplaces of technological breakthroughs. We hope that through this cooperation, we can join hands with China's leading medical institutions and clinical experts to jointly accelerate the scientific research and innovative transformation of neurodegenerative diseases. As a starting point, we look forward to implementing more Danaher Beacon projects in the future, leveraging Danaher's advantages in technology and the industrial sector to support the transformation of innovative achievements.
In anticipation of the opportunity for blood biomarker testing in neurodegenerative diseases to become part of routine clinical testing, Beckman, starting with the Danaher Beacon research project, is committed to meeting clinicians' needs for early screening and early diagnosis with high-quality, standardized, more timely, and accessible testing solutions, laying the foundation for advancing the implementation of next-generation diagnostic and treatment solutions in China.
The top scientific research team in the field of neurocognition at Huashan Hospital, combined with Beckman Coulter's leading technology, explores the correlation between blood biomarker combinations and clinical diagnostic outcomes. This collaboration advances the translational application of blood biomarkers in clinical practice, bringing new breakthroughs for the early identification and precise diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
Blood testing has the advantages of being minimally invasive and easy to perform, but finding biomarkers of disease in blood remains a significant challenge. We are very pleased to collaborate with Danaher, a global leading technology leader. We look forward to our joint efforts bringing new breakthroughs in the early identification and precise diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. With more sensitive and accessible diagnostics, we aim to maximize clinical benefits for truly at-risk patients.
This is the first Danaher Beacon project implemented in China.Professor Jincai Yu from the Department of Neurology at Huashan Hospital collaborates with Beckman Coulter, an operating company under Danaher, utilizing a high-sensitivity diagnostic technology platform to explore the potential association between novel blood biomarker combinations and clinical outcomes in Alzheimer's disease. This collaboration aims to advance the clinical translation of blood biomarkers to improve the accuracy of early diagnosis and differential diagnosis, optimize treatment strategies, delay disease progression, and enhance patients' quality of life. Additionally, the technology developed through this collaboration is also expected to be applicable for diagnosing other types of neurodegenerative and neuroimmunological diseases.
The Danaher Beacon Project is a cutting-edge scientific research initiative launched by Danaher in collaboration with top academic institutions and research institutes worldwide. It aims to conduct advanced scientific research and develop innovative technologies and applications to improve human health. The project focuses on areas including genomic medicines, precision diagnostics, next-generation biologics manufacturing, human systems, and data science.
References
[1] Jia, Longfei et al. “Prevalence, risk factors, and management of dementia and mild cognitive impairment in adults aged 60 years or older in China: a cross-sectional study.” The Lancet. Public health Vol. 5,12 (2020)
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About Danaher
Danaher is an innovator in the life sciences and medical diagnostics fields, committed to accelerating technological advancements and improving human health. We work closely with our customers to address numerous pressing challenges affecting the health of patients worldwide. With advanced science and technology, as well as a proven track record of innovation, we help achieve faster and more accurate medical diagnostics, reduce the time and cost required for innovative therapies in research, development, and production, enabling continuous progress. Danaher’s approximately 63,000 employees focus on science, innovation, and continuous improvement, ensuring an enhanced quality of life for billions of people today and laying the foundation for a healthier and more sustainable future. For more information, please visitwww.danaher.com.cn。
