Bloom Diagnostics launches new kidney test
Swiss medtech company Bloom Diagnostics has launched its newest product: the Bloom Kidney Test.
The test is designed for the quantitative measurement of cystatin C in whole blood and is compatible with the same system as for previous Bloom Tests. The Bloom Kidney Test is intended to be used by medical professionals, such as doctors and pharmacists, to rapidly measure and quantify kidney function in users 18 years old and above.
Bloom Diagnostics has developed a smart system which can detect a wide range of medical conditions. The Bloom Kidney Test is their newest addition: a single-use semi-automated testing kit for the quantitative measurement of cystatin C in the bloodstream to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which indicates how well one’s kidneys are working.
Worldwide, over 850 million people are affected by some form of kidney disease and 11% of the world’s population suffers from chronic kidney disease (CKD), the most common form of kidney disease. Symptoms of low kidney function may include swollen legs, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, sleep problems, more or less urination than usual, and muscle cramps. Risk factors include diabetes, hypertension, older age, a family history of kidney disease, obesity, and smoking.
Angelica Kohlmann, MD PhD, co-founder and chairperson at Bloom Diagnostics, stresses the importance of testing kidney function, especially with age. She adds that kidney disease “can affect anyone, but it is important to screen as you may be more than twice as likely to be affected at a higher age.”
The Bloom Kidney Test provides three different classifications, indicating normal kidney function, mildly decreased function, and decreased function. It enables healthcare professionals to test for levels of cystatin C from a single drop of blood and receive accurate results in minutes. It follows Bloom’s specialised Ovarian Reserve, Ferritin, Thyroid, and Inflammation tests, aimed at making healthcare more accessible to both patients and healthcare professionals.
Tom Kupper, co-founder and chief product officer (CPO) at Bloom Diagnostics, said: “Testing for cystatin C is important because chronic kidney disease is often a ‘silent killer’ – many people have it without being aware of it. With the help of a rapid kidney test, a medical professional can detect persons at risk for chronic kidney disease and initiate appropriate actions to slow its progression.”
The single-use kit for professional quantitative examination of the cystatin C protein is designed for individuals aged 18 years and above. A small blood sample is collected via pinprick, captured on a test strip, and inserted in the Bloom Lab. The Bloom System uses cloud-based algorithms and AI technology to aggregate test results with additional information about the user’s health, such as medical history, lifestyle, and symptoms. In less than 10 minutes, the user receives fully encrypted feedback in a personalised report on the Bloom App.
Bloom Diagnostics was founded in 2018 by Dr. Angelica Kohlmann and Tom Kupper. In 2020 and 2021 the company closed funding rounds to further strengthen R&D and drive expansion throughout Europe. Bloom Diagnostics’ early investors include Speedinvest from Austria and the Canadian Walter Group. Bloom Diagnostics aims to rapidly add meaningful new features to its range of capabilities to accelerate the pace of clinical discoveries and, ultimately, the development of new therapies.