EARLY AUTISM DETECTION RESEARCHER STANLEY LAPIDUS, CEO, OF SYNAPDX VISITED THE LEAGUE SCHOOL OF GREATER BOSTON RECENTLY

SynapDX is an early stage laboratory services company developing a blood based test to enable earlier detection of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), according to Stanley Lapidus, CEO. ASDs are characterized by impairment in language and socialization as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors. “They are doing some very exciting research,” said Dr. Frank Gagliardi, executive director of the League School of Greater Boston. “We are happy to get together with them to partner on different business opportunities that may come up.”

According to the SynapDX website, the average age of diagnosis is 4.5 years, yet age of first concern is 19 months. Early diagnosis leads to early treatment—and early treatment is believed to yield better outcomes. Today ASDs are diagnosed using a variety of assessments that combine direct patient observation and medical history. The addition of a clinically meaningful blood test could hasten the diagnostic process and help children at risk for ASDs get access to the right evaluation earlier—and end up with better outcomes as they grow.

SynapDX’s top investors include North Bridge, General Catalyst Partners, Lab Corp, The Kraft Group and Bain Capital Ventures. SynapDx’s approach measures RNA gene expression differences, which current research suggests can distinguish between people with ASDs and those without. SynapDX is in the process of conducting additional studies to validate their approach.