Ketim Therapeutics Unveils Promising Pilot Study Results in the Quest for Early Postpartum Depression Detection
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ketim Therapeutics Unveils Promising Pilot Study Results in the Quest for Early Postpartum Depression Detection
Brisbane, Australia — November 7, 2024 – Ketim Therapeutics (“Ketim Therapeutics Pty Ltd”), a pioneering company in maternal mental health, has announced successful pilot results from an innovative study that sought to identify early indicators of postpartum depression (PPD) using advanced biomarker analysis. This study, conducted in partnership with the Mater Mother's Hospital’s Queensland Family Cohort Study (QFC), analysed blood samples from 50 pregnant participants, with findings that underscore the potential for transformative early detection tools for PPD.
In this pilot, Ketim Therapeutics examined blood samples taken at 24 weeks of pregnancy from 17 women who scored high on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at 6 weeks postpartum, compared to 34 women with low EPDS scores. Analysing these samples on the Olink High Throughput (HT) platform provided by the Australian Genome Research Facility (AGRF), the study successfully identified a highly significant 11-protein signature out of over 5,400 proteins screened. These results are a major milestone, underscoring the potential of targeted biomarker screening to predict which women may be at a higher risk for PPD.
“We are thrilled to share these promising initial findings, which bring us closer to realising our vision of a reliable, non-invasive screening tool for postpartum depression,” said Dr. Clarissa Yates, Founder and CEO of Ketim Therapeutics. “Our collaboration with Mater Mother’s Hospital and the AGRF has been instrumental in achieving this breakthrough, and we believe our work will contribute meaningfully to improving mental health outcomes for mothers.”
Implications for the Future of Predictive Early Biomarkers for Postpartum Depression
This 11-protein biomarker signature, identified early in pregnancy, offers hope for a future where healthcare providers can intervene before postpartum depression symptoms arise. Early identification and risk assessment could lead to targeted support, creating a proactive approach in maternal mental health care. For clinicians, such a predictive tool would not only allow early intervention but also support personalised treatment pathways, potentially revolutionising care for mothers at risk of PPD. This pilot study represents a critical step toward that future, highlighting the promise of biomarkers as a foundation for predictive, preventive, and personalised healthcare.
Ketim Therapeutics is committed to furthering this research and is now working with IP lawyers at Jones Tulloch (https://www.jonestulloch.com/) to prepare a provisional patent application. The next step will be validating these results in an independent birth cohort, which has already been identified, and work is underway. This validation phase will be crucial in moving toward a practical and reliable screening tool for clinical use.
About Ketim Therapeutics
Founded in 2024, Ketim Therapeutics is a Brisbane-based company dedicated to transforming maternal mental health by harnessing the power of blood-based biomarkers for early screening and therapeutic innovation. By integrating innovative technologies and predictive diagnostics, Ketim Therapeutics is committed to improving outcomes for women and families, providing accessible, personalised solutions to maternal mental health challenges.
For further information, please contact:
Dr. Clarissa Yates
Founder & CEO, Ketim Therapeutics
