PAN9: IQuity with Dr. Chase Spurlock – Patient Activation Network

“In the field of immunology, the big, bad wolf is autoimmune disease,” said Dr. Chase Spurlock, Founder and CEO of IQuity. IQuity is working to provide physicians tools to make early diagnosis possible in difficult neurological conditions like MS. The ability to diagnosis autoimmune disease early can have a positive impact on both patient outcomes and society as a whole. For example, did you know that MS is the leading non-traumatic cause of disability in young adults?

IQuity just launched a RNA signature blood test that can help physicians determine early on whether a person has MS. This is ground breaking research that has the ability to dramatically shorten the period of time that a person has to wait for diagnosis. Now this does not replace traditional measures like lumbar puncture or MRI studies, rather it is a tool that physicians can use if they believe a person is showing clinical indicators for MS.

In this podcast, we speak with Dr. Spurlock about this breakthrough research and the other work being done at IQuity in Nashville, TN. Whether you are a patient or a physician, you’ll want to tune in to learn more about this scientific breakthrough.

About Dr. Chase Spurlock

Dr. Spurlock is committed to translating basic science discoveries into improved diagnostic strategies for patients with autoimmune conditions. As CEO of IQuity, he has day-to-day oversight of all aspects of the company ensuring the vision and mission is realized.

Dr. Spurlock’s published work explores the molecular basis for autoimmune disease and further examines therapeutic targets in the management of these diseases leveraging a diverse set of genomic and biochemical approaches including gene expression and next-generation sequencing technologies.

Dr. Spurlock is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of The University of the South where he received his bachelor’s degree in biology, magna cum laude, with departmental honors. He earned his Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine where he was awarded the Sidney P. Colowick award for outstanding research.

About IQuity

IQuity is a life science technology company leveraging machine learning methods to deliver breakthrough RNA diagnostics and analytics. The company’s initial offerings include Isolate tests across neurology, gastroenterology and rheumatology that are based on proprietary algorithms capable of ruling in or ruling out specific autoimmune diseases.

The accuracy of these methods at the earliest onset of symptoms exceeds 90% and offers providers the ability to shorten the diagnostic process for autoimmune disease and related conditions. Most autoimmune diseases take months to years to diagnose. IQuity’s technology, IQIsolate, analyzes RNA expression data from a blood sample to identify presence or absence of disease at the cellular level and deliver a result to providers in only 7 days. RNA expression is representative of the presence of disease in real time, whereas changes in DNA indicate potential risk of disease.

Early diagnosis and treatment lead to optimal patient outcomes by reducing long-term, irreparable damage to the body and lowering lifetime healthcare costs. Located in Nashville, TN, IQuity is ﬁrmly committed to data transparency and scientiﬁc peer review and will perform its tests in its independent CLIA-certiﬁed lab.

Episode Outline

About Dr. Chase Spurlock
Immunology, RNA Signatures and Autoimmune Disease
Decoding the RNA Message as an Indicator for Autoimmune Disease
RNA Signature Blood Test Launched to help Diagnose and Treat Multiple Sclerosis
IQuity MS Blood Test as a MS Diagnostic Tool for Doctors
Benefits of Early Detection and Treatment
How the Data is Collected and Analyzed
Where the Samples are Evaluated
How to Contact iQuity
Closing Thoughts

About Dr. Chase Spurlock

About IQuity

Episode Outline

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