“Making diagnostics
accessible to all”
NT-proCheckTM – a non-invasive point-of-care heart failure test
About Us
Who we are
A team of a molecular biologist and a medical doctor working collaboratively to combine the power of science and medicine in order to develop innovative solutions.
What we do
Our focus is on developing an innovative, non-invasive oral fluid test for heart failure diagnosis that can benefit both healthcare professionals and consumers.
Why we do
Heart failure is a serious disease affecting 1 in 10 people and putting a huge burden on the economy. Early diagnosis can save lives and reduce healthcare costs.
Biohabit is a cutting-edge in vitro diagnostics company focused on the development of non-invasive point-of-care heart failure diagnostic solutions. Our mission is to revolutionize the way heart failure is diagnosed and treated, while providing innovative and user-friendly solutions to improve patient outcomes.
At Biohabit, we are proud to be developing a state-of-the-art diagnostic device NT-proCheckTM that can be used by anyone, anywhere, at any time. This unique selling point is based on our proprietary technology that allows for easy and non-invasive sample collection and rapid, reliable results.
NT-proCheckTM promises to eliminate the need for specialized training or complicated procedures, making heart failure diagnostics accessible to a broader range of healthcare professionals and patients. By enabling quick and accurate diagnoses, we aim to reduce the burden on the healthcare system and improve patient outcomes.
Team
Dr Vlad Miscianinov
MBiolSci PhD
CEO
Vlad began his research career at the University of Sheffield, where he earned a Master of Biological Sciences degree in Genetics. He continued his academic journey in Edinburgh, pursuing his PhD in Cardiovascular Science at the University of Edinburgh Medical School. Throughout his doctoral studies, Vlad authored and co-authored multiple publications, including a manuscript on the role of microRNA in cardiovascular disease and regeneration, and filed a patent for a microRNA-based wound healing gene therapy. Following his PhD, Vlad accepted a postdoctoral research fellow position in Professor Andrew Baker’s lab, where he developed a novel lncRNA-based gene therapy approach to prevent vein graft failure in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. Throughout his academic career, Vlad developed a keen interest in business, which ultimately led him to establish Biohabit Ltd, where he currently serves as CEO and R&D Director.
Dr John D Hung
MBChB PhD MRCP(UK) FRCPE
Medical Director
John holds a Medical degree from the University of Liverpool, and he completed his General Cardiology training at Countess of Chester, Aintree, and Royal Liverpool Hospital. He subsequently pursued a PhD at the University of Edinburgh, where he investigated the role of lncRNA in human atherosclerosis. In parallel, John served as a Cardiology Research Fellow and studied atherosclerosis using MRI and intravascular imaging. John has co-authored 15 research publications, highlighting his commitment to the field. Currently, John serves as a Consultant Cardiologist in Interventional Cardiology at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, where he was recently promoted. He also co-founded Biohabit Ltd and serves as the Medical Director, where he combines his medical practice with his passion for developing breakthrough solutions in the field of precision and personalised medicine.
Services
We offer a comprehensive range of training and consulting services encompassing healthcare, technical support, project management, and research consulting. To learn more about how we can assist you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@biohabit.co.uk.
The Burden of Heart Failure
The “silent killer”
Prevalence
Heart failure affects 1 to 2% of the population in developed countries. Currently, an estimated 64 million people worldwide suffer from this condition, and the numbers continue to rise.
Incidence
The incidence of heart failure is a growing concern, with an estimated 200,000 new cases annually in the United Kingdom and 900,000 in the United States alone. Globally, the incidence of heart failure is reported at 10 cases per 1000 people annually.
Mortality
Heart failure has a high mortality rate, with up to 40% of patients passing away within one year of diagnosis. Among individuals hospitalised for heart failure worldwide, up to 45% do not survive beyond the first year.
Economics
Heart failure incurs a significant economic burden, accounting for 1-2% of the total healthcare budget globally, with annual costs exceeding $350 billion.
Problem
Heart failure presents with non-specific symptoms, such as breathlessness, swollen legs, and fatigue, which can be caused by other various medical conditions, including respiratory, haematological, metabolic, and psychological disorders. Unfortunately, an estimated 30% of individuals with these symptoms do not seek medical attention, resulting in missed diagnosis, ongoing anxiety, poor quality of life, and potential life-threatening consequences.
Additionally, it is worth noting that 1 in 3 GP practices and hospitals lack access to a heart failure serum biomarker test, which can result in misdiagnosis in a significant number of cases. This is particularly concerning given that up to 70% of all heart failure clinic appointments are ultimately found to be unrelated to heart failure, creating a significant financial burden on healthcare systems.
Meanwhile, although around a half of heart failure patients display symptoms that should trigger assessment in primary care, as many as 80% are diagnosed in the hospital emergency department in the context of a crisis. Once admitted, there is an additional associated financial burden due to long lengths of stay and poorer patient outcomes, much of which could be avoided.
Biohabit's Mission
Biohabit’s point-of-care heart failure diagnostic system, NT-proCheckTM, offers a unique solution that is both inexpensive and non-invasive, and can be performed by untrained personnel in any clinical setting or at home. The device’s small size, portability, long shelf life, and rapid results make it ideal for wide distribution and incorporation into routine diagnostic pathways.
An oral fluid NT-proCheckTM test performed in a GP surgery could offer an immediate result, enabling the rule-out or rule-in of heart failure during the same consultation. This approach would significantly accelerate diagnosis, decrease the need for repeat appointments and unnecessary referrals, improve patient outcomes and prognosis, and avoid acute hospitalizations, resulting in substantial cost savings for healthcare.
Moreover, due to the non-invasive and user-friendly nature of the NT-proCheckTM test, it can also be performed at home by a consumer to assess their risk of developing heart failure and prevent any further progression of the condition. Overall, the NT-proCheckTM system has the potential to revolutionize the way heart failure is diagnosed and treated, improving both patient outcomes and the efficiency of the healthcare system.
At Biohabit, we are committed to developing innovative, patient-centric solutions that address the significant challenges facing healthcare providers and their patients. Our non-invasive heart failure diagnostic test has the potential to revolutionize the way this condition is diagnosed, enabling earlier detection, more accurate assessments, and improved patient outcomes. As we continue to refine and develop our product, we remain focused on delivering innovative, high-quality solutions that can transform the healthcare landscape.
Licencing opportunities
We are currently seeking partnerships and are open to licensing our patented salivary diagnostic technology. For further details, please contact us at info@biohabit.co.uk.
Support Our Cause
Please consider supporting our cause by donating to help fund the next development stage of our technology. To create our novel heart failure diagnostic device, we need to conduct a clinical study to test the technology in the real-world patient population. This project will provide valuable data to help us build a prototype of the NT-proCheck™ device. As Biohabit is not generating any revenue at the moment, we are relying solely on grants, investments, and donations.
If you share our vision, we would greatly appreciate any support you can provide. Together, we can make a significant impact on the world.
