VERDAD · Project

Blood Test Detects Alzheimer's Decades Before Symptoms — Replacing Expensive Diagnostics

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Imagine you could spot Alzheimer's disease with a simple blood test, decades before anyone notices memory problems. Right now, getting an Alzheimer's diagnosis takes about 6 months and costs around €10,000. A Norwegian company built a test that checks how well your brain clears out a sticky protein called beta-amyloid — when that cleanup slows down, it's the earliest warning sign. Catching it early means doctors can step in with lifestyle changes or treatments while they still make a difference.

By the numbers

€280 bn

Yearly Alzheimer's-related expenditure in Europe

~10%

Population above 65 currently affected by Alzheimer's

€10,000

Current cost per Alzheimer's diagnosis

6 months

Current time required for Alzheimer's diagnosis

€1.5 bn

Projected revenue stream 10 years post-project

€2,355,791

EU contribution to the project

The business problem

What needed solving

Alzheimer's Disease costs Europe €280 bn per year and affects ~10% of the population above 65 — a figure expected to triple. Current diagnosis takes 6 months and costs €10,000 per patient, by which point the disease is often too advanced for effective intervention. There is a critical gap: no affordable, fast diagnostic tool exists to catch Alzheimer's at the early stages when treatment can still make a difference.

The solution

What was built

The project developed a blood-based biomarker detection tool that analyzes beta-amyloid clearance from a patient's blood sample. Key deliverables include a direct monocyte lysis and Aβ peptides recovery protocol, plus 10 additional deliverables covering regulatory preparation and market introduction steps. The technology detects reduced brain metabolism linked to the earliest stage of Alzheimer's pathology.

Audience

Who needs this

Clinical diagnostic laboratory chains seeking new high-demand test offeringsPharmaceutical companies running Alzheimer's clinical trials needing better patient screeningNational healthcare systems looking to reduce dementia care costs through early detectionHealth insurance companies wanting to lower long-term Alzheimer's treatment expenditureMedical device distributors targeting the growing neurology diagnostics market

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Clinical Diagnostics

enterprise

Target: Diagnostic laboratory chains and hospital lab networks

If you are a diagnostic lab network dealing with the growing demand for Alzheimer's screening — this project developed a blood-based biomarker test that replaces the current 6-month, €10,000 diagnostic process. The tool detects reduced beta-amyloid clearance directly from a blood sample, letting you offer early-stage Alzheimer's detection as a scalable, cost-effective service to an aging population where ~10% of people over 65 are affected.

Pharmaceutical & Drug Development

enterprise

Target: Pharma companies developing Alzheimer's therapies and running clinical trials

If you are a pharma company running Alzheimer's clinical trials and struggling with patient stratification — this project built a blood-based diagnostic that identifies patients at the earliest disease stage, decades before clinical signs appear. Early and accurate patient identification could dramatically improve trial enrollment quality and endpoint measurement, addressing a disease that costs Europe €280 bn yearly.

Health Insurance & Managed Care

enterprise

Target: Health insurance companies and national healthcare systems

If you are a health insurer facing rising dementia care costs — this project developed a cost-effective blood test for early Alzheimer's detection that could replace expensive diagnostic procedures costing €10,000 per patient. Early detection enables prevention strategies that could slow disease progression, directly reducing the long-term care burden from a condition affecting ~10% of the population above 65.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does this diagnostic test cost compared to current methods?

Current Alzheimer's diagnostics cost approximately €10,000 per patient and take around 6 months, according to the project data. VERDAD's blood-based test is designed to be cost-effective and faster, though the exact per-test pricing has not been publicly disclosed. Contact the company for commercial pricing.

Can this test scale to population-level screening programs?

The test is designed as a blood-based biomarker tool, which is inherently scalable through existing clinical laboratory infrastructure. The project developed a direct monocyte lysis and Aβ peptides recovery protocol, suggesting a standardized process suitable for high-throughput lab environments. The company projected a revenue stream of over €1.5 bn in the 10 years post-project, indicating large-scale deployment ambitions.

What is the IP and licensing situation?

PRE DIAGNOSTICS AS is the sole partner and coordinator, meaning all intellectual property is concentrated within one commercial entity. As an SME that received €2,355,791 in EU funding under the EIC SME Instrument, the company retains IP ownership. Licensing or partnership inquiries should be directed to the company.

What regulatory approvals are needed?

The project objective states that VERDAD aimed to finalize the final regulatory steps for market introduction of this diagnostic tool. As an in-vitro diagnostic device, it would require CE-IVD marking in Europe. Based on available project data, the regulatory process was underway during the project period (2019-2021).

How far along is this — can I use it now?

The project ran from June 2019 to November 2021 and is now closed. The objective described finalizing regulatory steps and introducing the product to market. A demo deliverable confirms a working protocol for monocyte lysis and Aβ peptide recovery. Check the company website for current commercial availability.

How does this integrate with existing lab equipment?

The test works from a standard blood sample, meaning it fits into existing blood collection and processing workflows. The direct monocyte lysis protocol was developed as a deliverable, suggesting a defined lab procedure. Based on available project data, specific equipment compatibility details would need to come from the manufacturer.

Consortium

Who built it

VERDAD is a single-company project run entirely by PRE DIAGNOSTICS AS, a Norwegian SME. With 100% industry composition and no university or research partners in the consortium, this signals a commercially focused effort where the core science was already developed and the project aimed at market preparation. The €2,355,791 EU investment through the competitive EIC SME Instrument Phase 2 reflects strong confidence in the commercial viability. The single-partner structure means streamlined decision-making and clear IP ownership, but potential partners should note that all expertise and technology sits within one entity.

PRE DIAGNOSTICS ASCoordinator · NO

How to reach the team

PRE DIAGNOSTICS AS is a Norwegian SME — contact through their website or SciTransfer can facilitate an introduction.

Order a report on this consortium See PRE DIAGNOSTICS AS profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore licensing, distribution, or partnership with this early Alzheimer's detection technology? SciTransfer can connect you with the team behind VERDAD.

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