Epicore Biosystems Partners with MECFA to Modernize Cystic Fibrosis Care

For decades, diagnosing and monitoring cystic fibrosis has relied on pilocarpine iontophoresis—a labor-intensive process requiring specialized clinics to stimulate sweat, collect samples, and send them to laboratories. Epicore’s Chloride Tracker eliminates this bottleneck by integrating sweat induction and real-time sensing into a single wearable device. The technology, already validated in studies published in Nature Digital Medicine and PNAS, offers a portable alternative that could bypass the lack of diagnostic infrastructure currently hindering patient care in the region.

The initiative addresses a severe disparity in health outcomes. With the exception of Türkiye, national newborn screening programs for cystic fibrosis are rare across the Middle East. Marmara University in Istanbul, which houses Europe’s largest cystic fibrosis center, will spearhead clinical testing to adapt the device for local needs. According to Prof. Dr. Bülent Karadağ, the device could allow physicians to intervene early, potentially altering the long-term health trajectories of children who currently present with advanced disease due to limited access to testing. While Epicore continues development for U.S. and European markets, this collaboration targets the immediate necessity of providing affordable, clinic-free diagnostic tools to underserved populations.