VolitionRx Limited (NYSE American: VNRX) announced the filing of a strategic patent application covering the use of its proprietary Nu.Q technology for triaging and monitoring patients suspected of having contracted the Ebola virus. The application builds on the company’s existing Nu.Q NETs test, which measures circulating nucleosomes and neutrophil extracellular traps as early indicators of hyper-inflammation associated with septic shock and mortality.
The company stated that its CE-Marked automated Nu.Q NETs assay and recently developed finger-prick lateral flow detection prototype could provide a low-cost bedside triage solution during Ebola outbreaks, particularly in resource-constrained regions. Volition is seeking partnerships with global health organizations, pharmaceutical developers, NGOs and distribution partners to support field trials, manufacturing scale-up and potential deployment in outbreak zones. The full press release is available at https://ibn.fm/UOWP1.
This development is significant because Ebola outbreaks often overwhelm healthcare systems in regions with limited laboratory infrastructure. Current diagnostic methods require sophisticated equipment and trained personnel, delaying treatment and containment efforts. Volition’s Nu.Q technology, which can be deployed as a simple finger-prick test, has the potential to dramatically accelerate triage. By identifying patients with hyper-inflammation early, healthcare workers can prioritize treatment and isolation, reducing transmission and mortality rates. The test’s focus on NETosis—a process linked to sepsis—also suggests it could be adapted for other infectious diseases, amplifying its global health impact.
For Volition, this patent filing marks an expansion beyond its core focus on cancer and sepsis diagnostics. The company is a multinational firm dedicated to advancing epigenetics, developing simple, cost-effective blood tests for early detection and monitoring of life-altering diseases. Its research and development activities are centered in Belgium, with an innovation lab and office in the U.S. and an office in London. More information is available at https://volition.com/.
The implications for the global health community are substantial. If successful, Volition’s Nu.Q Ebola triage test could become a standard tool in outbreak response, particularly in Africa where Ebola is endemic. It also highlights the growing role of epigenetic biomarkers in infectious disease management. However, the technology still requires field validation and regulatory approvals beyond its CE marking. Partnership with organizations like the World Health Organization or Médecins Sans Frontières will be critical to bringing the test to those who need it most.
