Veravas Aims to Revolutionize Alzheimer’s Diagnostics with Groundbreaking Blood Test
With the launch of VeraBIND™ Tau, StartUp Health community member Veravas introduces the first blood-based test to detect tau pathology—offering earlier, more accurate detection of Alzheimer’s and restoring confidence in diagnostics through sample purification technology.
By Nicole Kinsey
Purifying the Future of Diagnostics
In a field long dominated by slow innovation and invasive tests, Alzheimer’s Moonshot Community member Veravas is rewriting the rules of clinical diagnostics. At the heart of the company’s mission is a deceptively simple idea: start with a cleaner sample, and you’ll get a more accurate result. That principle powers VeraBIND™, Veravas’ proprietary platform that purifies samples to remove interfering substances—ensuring clearer, more actionable diagnostic outcomes.
“We’re all about accuracy,” says John Forrest, CEO & Co-founder of Veravas. “Our technology isn’t just measuring something in the blood—it’s transforming the sample so that you’re not getting junk in, junk out. You’re getting truth in, truth out.”
A Blood Test That Could Change Alzheimer’s Care
That commitment to clarity and accuracy took a major leap forward in April 2025 with the commercial release of VeraBIND Tau, the first blood-based test designed specifically to detect the tau pathology associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
This new lab-developed test (LDT), available through a CLIA/CAP-certified lab, demonstrated 96% sensitivity and 90% specificity in analytical studies, with a 92% agreement with PET imaging—until now the gold standard for detecting tau-related pathology.
Unlike many existing blood tests that only measure amyloid plaque (an indirect and often ambiguous marker), VeraBIND Tau identifies active tau aggregation, which is more closely linked to near-term cognitive decline. This means clinicians, researchers, and patients can detect signs of Alzheimer’s far earlier—before symptoms emerge—and take proactive steps.
From Gray Zones to Clear Answers
Traditional diagnostics often leave patients in a limbo of uncertainty—gray zones that stall treatment decisions and fuel anxiety. Veravas is eliminating those gray areas.
Their tau test delivers a semi-quantitative VeraBIND Tau Score, effectively offering a “yes” or “no” result on the presence of pathologically active tau. This clear signal enables faster decisions for physicians and patients alike, empowering them with actionable information rather than ambiguity.
“You’re not just getting a risk score,” says Forrest. “Our test tells you: yes, the pathology is there. Or no, it isn’t. That’s the kind of clarity that can change lives.”
A Platform With Broad Potential
Though Veravas is currently focused on Alzheimer’s, VeraBIND is built to scale. The company is already working on extending the technology to saliva-based tests—offering a painless, at-home option ideal for older adults and ongoing monitoring.
Even more, Forrest sees potential applications in areas like Parkinson’s and cancer diagnostics. The approach is modular: purify the sample, remove the interference, enrich the biomarkers, and give clinicians better data.
Restoring Trust in Diagnostics
Veravas is tackling more than disease—they’re addressing a broader crisis of confidence in diagnostics. In an era where stories like Theranos cast a shadow over the industry, Forrest believes that restoring trust starts with measurable results and full transparency.
“After years of hype and half-truths in diagnostics, we wanted to stand for something different,” he says. “That’s why we named the company Veravas: ‘truth in the vessel.’ We’re bringing truth back to testing.”
Why Early Detection Matters More Than Ever
While some patients fear an early Alzheimer’s diagnosis, Forrest points to studies showing that over 70% of people would want to know—if they believed something could be done.
This is where early detection makes a real difference. Lifestyle interventions, like those outlined in the FINGER study, have been shown to reduce cognitive decline risk by over 40%—but only if changes are made early.
“Our test doesn’t show risk—it shows pathology,” Forrest emphasizes. “If someone tests positive, it’s not a maybe. It’s a call to action. And that knowledge is power.”
A New Era Begins
With VeraBIND Tau now available and additional innovations in the pipeline, Veravas is entering a new phase—moving from R&D to real-world impact. Available for use by clinicians, plans, researchers, and clinical trial sponsors, the test must be ordered through a physician, ensuring patients receive appropriate support and follow-up care.
As Veravas works to expand access, the company remains rooted in its vision: empower action, reduce diagnostic uncertainty, and bring truth back to the frontlines of care.
The development of VeraBIND Tau represents a significant step forward in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. By offering a more accessible and accurate way to detect tau pathology early, Veravas is providing individuals and their healthcare providers with critical information that could lead to earlier interventions and potentially slow the progression of this devastating disease. As Forrest passionately stated, "Every day that our test is not being used is a day missed because we need to get it out there, and that's our mission right now."
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