Evaluating the VeraBIND Tau Assay for Earlier Detection of Alzheimer Disease: John Forrest

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"This test is designed to give more certainty to physicians in their decision-making. By providing an accurate result early in disease progression, it gives physicians more flexibility in how they care for patients and allows them to use it as a tool to see whether their recommendations are working. Overall, we believe this is better for physicians, better for patients, and represents a revolutionary way of looking at Alzheimer disease."

Veravas recently presented 2 independent analyses at the 2025 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, held July 27-30, in Toronto, Canada, showing that the company’s VeraBIND Tau assay could accurately measure active tau pathology in patients with and without cognitive impairment. The assay, which has been in development for a number of years, is a blood-based test designed for patients aged 50 years and older and produces results that correspond with tau positron emission tomography (Tau-PET) brain scans.

One analysis showed that VeraBIND Tau outperformed 3 other plasma assays and was the most predictive of MK6240 Tau-PET results, with over 95% sensitivity and 95% specificity in distinguishing amyloid- and tau-positive (A+T+) from amyloid- and tau-negative (A-T-) cases. The second analysis demonstrated that VeraBIND Tau also outperformed plasma pTau217 in detecting early tau pathology, accurately identifying MK6240-positive individuals regardless of amyloid status or cognitive impairment, and that those testing positive scored lower on cognitive assessments.

At the conference, John Forrest, founder and CEO at Veravas, spoke with NeurologyLive^® to detail the features and clinical significance of the VeraBIND Tau pathology test. Unlike previous blood-based tests focused on p-tau 217 or amyloid levels, he noted that this test measures the activity of hyperphosphorylated tau binding to normal tau. John emphasized that the test could provide physicians with confidence in early detection, flexibility in treatment planning, and a tool to monitor therapeutic responses. Additionally, he mentioned that the test is cost-effective compared with tau PET imaging and has potential utility in both clinical as well as pharmaceutical settings.

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REFERENCES
1. Hanseeuw BJ, Bayart JL, Boyer E, et al. VeraBIND Tau test, a novel plasma assay for active tau pathology, identifies individuals with positive tau-PET signal, regardless of amyloid status. Presented at: 2025 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference; July 27-31; Toronto, Canada. Abstract 105556.
2. New Research Validating VeraBIND™ Tau Assay as Accurate Blood Test for Active Tau Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease Presented at the 2025 Alzheimer's Association International Conference. News Release. Veravas. Published July 28, 2025. Accessed August 15, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-research-validating-verabind-tau-assay-as-accurate-blood-test-for-active-tau-pathology-in-alzheimers-disease-presented-at-the-2025-alzheimers-association-international-conference-302514971.html