Yana Aznavour, MD, PhD, on a non-invasive menstrual blood diagnostic platform for endometriosis

A novel, noninvasive molecular diagnostic platform that uses menstrual blood collected at home may help address longstanding delays in diagnosing endometriosis, according to Yana Aznavour, MD, PhD, an obstetrician-gynecologist and founder and CEO of Endometrics.

“The menstrual blood is a really underutilized, quite highly informative biological sample, and it contains numerous biomarkers,” Aznavour said. “It contains endometrial cells, immune cells, [and] molecular biomarkers that actually reflect the biology of eutopic endometrium.” She noted that prior research has demonstrated distinct transcriptomic profiles in the eutopic endometrium of patients with endometriosis, enabling the development of tissue-based molecular biomarkers with strong predictive capacity.

The in-development platform translates these findings into a patient-centered diagnostic approach. “Because menstrual blood provides truly noninvasive access to endometrial tissue, truly unique access, we translated that into an at-home collection approach to better fit in the patient journey,” Aznavour explained. Patients collect samples using a standardized pad-based kit, ship them to a laboratory, and complete a virtual follow-up visit within a week to review results and next steps.

Aznavour emphasized the limitations of current diagnostic pathways, including low sensitivity of imaging for early-stage disease and the invasiveness and delays associated with surgical diagnosis.

“Menstrual blood shouldn’t be viewed as a byproduct. It should be evaluated as a diagnostic biosample…because it offers objective biological information that can complement the clinical assessment of signs and symptoms,” she said.

Development process of an at-home, noninvasive endometriosis diagnostic platform

The platform remains in active development with regulatory steps underway.

“We are developing a molecular diagnostic platform that utilizes at-home collected menstrual blood and also proprietary biomarkers,” Aznavour said. “Endometriosis is our primary, most advanced indication. We have clinically validated the biomarker, we completed the FDA presubmission process, and we have a multicenter prospective clinical trial currently underway. Upon completion of this study, we will file an FDA de novo submission, and we will launch an early access [laboratory developed test] program with partner clinics.”

Aznavour noted that earlier molecular detection could help clinicians better triage patients presenting with nonspecific symptoms such as pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, or infertility. “A noninvasive diagnostic test…has the potential to shift this timeline way earlier,” she said, enabling more targeted referrals, treatment decisions, and care pathways.

Endometrics has received first prize in the National Institutes of Health’s RADx Tech ACT ENDO Challenge and the Best Research Award from the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists.

Reference

Endometrics wins first prize in NIH RADx Tech ACT ENDO Challenge. Endometrics. News release. March 17, 2026. Accessed May 18, 2026. https://endometrics.us/nih-radx-tech-act-endo-1st-prize.html