Point-of-care diagnosis in ethylene glycol poisonings

Ethylene glycol is widely used as antifreeze in coolants for combustion engines, typically in car engines, and as a solvent in various manufacturing processes. It is often found in poorly secured flasks in industrial areas, around gas stations and in homes and garages. Worldwide, ethylene glycol causes thousands of poisonings every year, leaving numerous dead, whereas survivors can be left with renal failure and brain damage. Compared to methanol poisonings, ethylene glycol poisonings are more frequently seen in the developed parts of the world, compared to the under-developed world. It can be found in adults as the poor man´s ethanol, because of the initial effect being similar to the effect of ethanol (inebriation). It is often drunken by mistake, for self-harm or suicidal reasons. Children (and pets) on the other hand are usually poisoned due to its sweet taste and frequently easy access. The diagnosis of ethylene glycol poisoning, is difficult and demands highly specialized equipment and people. Such diagnosis is therefore seldom available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Therefore, the medical community and the health care systems around the world need a fast, reliable, bedside method to diagnose ethylene glycol poisoning. We are developing a disposable, one-time use, bedside, test strip to diagnose and monitor ethylene glycol poisoning in humans from a drop of blood. The aim of this pre-project is to: 1. Document the price sensitivity for our diagnostic test. 2. Clarify the expected overall specificity of our product 3. Estimate the market potential for our product. 4. Perform a simple health economic evaluation of our diagnostic test. 5. Secure the IPR from the project.