Why Shares of Quanterix Are Climbing This Morning
Shares of life sciences company Quanterix (NASDAQ: QTRX) are up 14% as of 11:30 a.m. EDT today after the Food and Drug Administration granted breakthrough status to its blood test for a biomarker of Alzheimer's disease.
Tau is a protein that stabilizes microtubules in the neurons of the central nervous system. In Alzheimer's disease, tau detaches from the microtubules and tangles. This blocks communication between synapses. Elevated levels of tau are typically found in the cerebral spinal fluid of patients with neurodegenerative diseases, as well as severe brain injuries. Phospho-tau 181 is a specific protein that is more strongly associated with the disease than overall tau levels. The breakthrough device designation is the FDA's way of allowing manufacturers to try and expedite products that offer a potentially more effective treatment or diagnosis for life-threatening diseases.
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Source Fool.com