BGF-backed Oxford Brain Diagnostics to roll out revolutionary technology

With over 55 million people currently living with dementia globally – a number expected to nearly double every 20 years – Oxford Brain Diagnostics’ patented Cortical Disarray Measurement (CDM®) technology offers a breakthrough solution. The software provides an objective, quantifiable measure of neurodegeneration by analysing standard MRI scans, enabling timely and accurate assessment of brain health.

Following FDA 510(k) clearance and UKCA self-certification, Oxford Brain Diagnostics (OBD) will now commence the commercial roll-out of its breakthrough technology to the US and UK healthcare sectors. The technology has the potential to advance neurodegeneration diagnostics on a global scale.

Founded in 2019 by Dr Steven Chance (former Associate Professor of Neuroscience at Oxford University) and Professor Mark Jenkinson (Professor of Neuroimaging), OBD has built its technology on decades of expertise in brain pathology and imaging.

The FDA recognised CDM’s potential in 2020, by granting it Breakthrough Device Designation status for evaluating adults at risk of Alzheimer’s Disease.

In 2023, OBD secured a multi-million investment, in a funding round led by BGF, alongside continued support from its existing investors, including the Oxford Technology & Innovations Fund (OTIF). This crucial investment enabled OBD to achieve both FDA 510(k) clearance and UKCA self-certification, enabling the company to secure clinical roll-out, and establishing the regulatory foundation for global market expansion.

The landscape for neurological diagnostics is evolving rapidly, particularly with the arrival of new anti-amyloid Alzheimer’s drugs sharpening the focus on early, accurate diagnosis. OBD’s technology directly addresses this by enabling timely detection and precise monitoring of neurodegenerative disease. The company has already achieved early traction working with pharmaceutical partners to support clinical trials and drug development, while simultaneously expanding into healthcare settings.

Beyond dementia, OBD’s platform shows promise in addressing other neurodegenerative conditions, including Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis, expanding its potential impact across clinical and research domains.