TimeTeller Develops Saliva Test to Personalize Medicine Based on Circadian Rhythms
German startup TimeTeller has developed an at-home saliva test kit that measures circadian rhythms, aiming to personalize medical treatments based on individual biological clocks. Founded by Angela Relógio, a physicist-engineer and molecular biologist with expertise in oncology and systems medicine, the company is focused primarily on cancer treatment optimization but also sees potential applications for metabolic diseases, neurodegenerative conditions, performance enhancement, and women’s health. Unlike some overhyped at-home diagnostics companies, TimeTeller emphasizes scientific rigor. The test helps determine when treatments may be most effective or better tolerated by aligning them with a patient's internal clock. While the direct-to-consumer version provides insights into circadian patterns, more precise treatment timing requires clinical studies and calculations specific to each medication. TimeTeller has already partnered with Techniker Krankenkasse, one of Germany’s largest health insurers, which is reimbursing costs for certain cancer patients using the test. The company aims to expand this partnership across its 12 million members and envisions a future where circadian timing becomes central to precision medicine.
Topics: cancer treatment circadian rhythm direct-to-consumer health testing startups