France’s scientific health authority has urged the government to cover a newly developed saliva test for endometriosis – a debilitating disease affecting one in 10 French women. The Lyon-based start-up behind the test, which uses AI technology, says the move is a major breakthrough for women’s health.
The French High Authority for Health (HAS) – an independent government advisory body – on Monday deemed the Ziwig Endotest to be “promising” after carrying out its own clinical testing.
The HAS approval is a significant victory for biotech company Ziwig as it paves the way for the saliva test to be reimbursed by French social security.
HAS did, however, add that further studies were needed to confirm the test’s effectiveness.
Chronic illness
Two million French women and girls suffer from endometriosis, a chronic inflammatory disease that causes acute pelvic pain, fertility issues and which can take up to 10 years to diagnose. Because of this, research has focused on early diagnosis.
Scientists at Ziwig say its world-first Endotest – developed with the help of medical experts from Hôpital Tenon in Paris, Lyon-Sud and Angers – would allow for the detection of all forms of endometriosis within days.
Ziwig recommends the test be carried out following imaging examinations that may point to endometriosis, such as a pelvic ultrasound or MRI, but before invasive diagnostic surgeries such as laparoscopies.
While it can be done by a patient at home, the test is unlike other saliva exams in that it uses “high-throughput sequencing” and the use of an algorithm designed by AI to locate biomarkers that can diagnose endometriosis.
Clinical results have shown a diagnostic performance of 98 percent reliability.
French NGOs have long criticised a lack of action from French authorities regarding the treatment and diagnosis of endometriosis, which affects 10 percent of women.
