TimeTeller Launches Saliva Test Kit for Circadian Rhythm Analysis

TimeTeller's Circadian Rhythm Test

TimeTeller, a German startup, has introduced a direct-to-consumer saliva test kit designed to help individuals understand their circadian rhythm. The company's CEO, Angela Relógio, a physicist-engineer and molecular biologist, developed this technology after extensive research in circadian biology and oncology.

Applications in Personalized Medicine

The immediate application for the test is to provide data for longevity clinics, which use individual circadian rhythm information to offer personalized advice on sleep, nutrition, light exposure, and physical activity. This caters to a demand for data-driven healthy aging strategies.

While the direct-to-consumer kit does not currently provide specific medical treatment timing, the long-term vision for TimeTeller is to determine optimal timing for cancer treatments. This aims to reduce side effects and improve efficacy by aligning treatment schedules with a patient's internal clock, a process that will require further clinical studies for each medicine.

Origin and Motivation

Relógio's motivation for founding TimeTeller stemmed from her observations during cancer research. She noted that many cancer patients experienced significant side effects, leading to treatment interruptions. Her hypothesis was that the timing of treatment could be as crucial as the treatment itself in mitigating these issues. This led to the development of the circadian rhythm test.

TimeTeller spun out of Berlin’s Charité university hospital, with Relógio personally funding the initial patent to ensure her discovery moved beyond academic publications into practical application.

Future Potential

Beyond cancer and longevity, TimeTeller's technology could potentially be applied to other areas such as metabolic diseases (e.g., diabetes), neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s), athletic performance, and women’s health. However, cancer remains the core mission for the company.