A unhappy mom holding her baby at home sitting on the couch thinking.
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant maternal health concern, affecting one in five mothers globally. This condition extends beyond the typical “baby blues,” posing serious risks not only to the mother but also to her child, partner, and family. Despite its prevalence, the current methods for diagnosing PPD are largely subjective, relying on self-reporting questionnaires. However, a groundbreaking initiative by Ketim Technologies, supported by the Australian Genome Research Facility (AGRF), is set to change this narrative by developing the world’s first clinical blood test for PPD.
The Current Gap in Care
Traditionally, screening for postpartum depression involves tools like the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). While these questionnaires can be helpful, they depend heavily on a mother’s willingness to disclose her feelings, which can be influenced by fear or lack of support. Consequently, many mothers remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, leaving a substantial gap in care.
This development follows the alarming statistic that up to 20% of maternal deaths in the postpartum period are attributed to suicide. Despite the severity of the issue, as of 2025, a reliable clinical test to identify women at risk remains unavailable.
A New Approach: Blood-Based Screening for PPD
Ketim Technologies is pioneering an innovative approach by developing a blood test that uses proteins found in blood, combined with health and clinical data, to identify objective and reliable markers of risk. This approach represents a significant shift from subjective questionnaires to a precise biological test, potentially transforming early diagnosis and treatment strategies.
Clarissa Yates, CEO and Founder of Ketim Technologies, stated, “As a mother and scientist, my lived experience drives my determination to create something better. By developing the world’s first blood test for PPD, we’re working to usher in a new era of personalized, evidence-based mental health care for mothers.”
The Role of AGRF
AGRF is supporting this initiative by providing advanced protein biomarker analysis through Olink proteomics. This collaboration aims to uncover molecular signals linked to PPD, offering crucial information needed to develop a diagnostic test. AGRF’s involvement underscores the importance of leveraging cutting-edge technology to address complex health challenges.
Why It Matters
This project holds the potential to revolutionize maternal health care by enabling early, accurate screening that transcends self-reported symptoms. Early detection can lead to faster and more appropriate care, improving health outcomes for mothers, babies, and families. Moreover, this innovation will equip general practitioners, clinicians, and mental health professionals with an objective tool to support earlier decision-making and faster care strategies.
The announcement comes as Clarissa Yates prepares for the next phase: conducting clinical trials to test women with depression symptoms during pregnancy or after birth. By integrating cutting-edge science with compassion, this project aims to close the gap in postpartum health care and provide mothers with the support they deserve.
Looking Ahead
The implications of this breakthrough are vast. Should the clinical trials prove successful, the blood test could become a standard tool in maternal health care, potentially preventing severe outcomes associated with untreated PPD. The move represents a shift towards more personalized and evidence-based mental health care for mothers, a change that could have lasting impacts on families worldwide.
As the world anticipates the results of these trials, the collaboration between Ketim Technologies and AGRF exemplifies the power of innovation and partnership in addressing critical health issues. The hope is that this initiative will set a precedent for future advancements in maternal mental health care, ultimately leading to better support and outcomes for mothers everywhere.
