Leuko

Leuko, a startup spun out from MIT and the Madrid M+Vision Consortium, has developed PointCheck, a non-invasive white blood cell (WBC) monitoring solution for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The device uses optical technology and artificial intelligence to measure WBC levels without requiring a blood sample. Patients place their finger on the internet-connected PointCheck device for one minute daily, and the data is sent to their care team for monitoring. This technology aims to prevent life-threatening infections and hospital readmissions associated with low WBC levels, which affect up to one in six chemotherapy patients. PointCheck has demonstrated diagnostic accuracy and home usability in peer-reviewed studies. The company's goal is to improve clinical outcomes for over 2 million cancer chemotherapy patients annually, reduce chemotherapy-related hospital readmissions by 50%, and save more than USD 6 billion in healthcare costs each year. Leuko's technology works by shining light into the skin surrounding the fingernail, imaging blood cells flowing through superficial capillaries to determine if white cell levels are dangerously low. As of June 2024, Leuko was preparing for a pivotal study to register for US Food and Drug Administration approval. The company also sees potential applications for its technology in monitoring other biomarkers for conditions such as multiple sclerosis, autoimmune diseases, and organ transplants.