Zacks_Analysts' Blog : NeuroMetrix Unveils DPN Test - Analyst Blog

Nerve testing devices maker NeuroMetrix (NURO) has successfully launched its new test, the NC-stat DPNCheck, at the annual conference of the American Diabetes Association (“ADA”) in San Diego, California.

The NC-stat DPNCheck test has been designed for evaluating systemic neuropathies such as diabetic peripheral neuropathy (“DPN”), a common and serious complication of diabetes. It is a modified version of NeuroMetrix’s popular NC-stat device for detecting DPN.

NC-stat DPNCheck measures the standard biomarkers for DPN such as sural nerve conduction velocity and amplitude. The device is expected to help in the early detection, confirmation, and monitoring of DPN in a cost-effective manner at the point-of-care, thereby enabling NeuroMetrix to address the unmet need for a widely available, standardized test for this condition.

In line with its plan, NeuroMetrix conducted a number of activities at the ADA meet, including two scientific poster presentations, live demonstration of NC-stat DPNCheck and a meeting of its scientific advisory board that was set up in March 2011.

During the ADA meeting, the scientific advisory board, which consists of eminent international experts, chalked out plans for clinical studies to support expanded market adoption of NC-stat DPNCheck, as well as reimbursement coverage by commercial and governmental payers. 

NC-stat DPNCheck was received well by a large number of U.S.-based endocrinologists at the ADA meet, who expressed their interest in evaluating this novel test. Moreover, the product earned considerable interest from physicians across Western Europe, India, Australia and Mexico. NeuroMetrix noted that it plans to make the test commercially available in September 2011.

NeuroMetrix develops and markets devices that help physicians detect and treat diseases and peripheral nerve injuries, and offer regional anesthesia and pain control. The company’s principal products are ADVANCE and NC-stat devices for nerve conduction study (“NCS”). NeuroMetrix competes with Medtronic (MDT) among others.