Rethinking postpartum depression: Protein biomarker discovery making a difference to maternal mental health

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious and often overlooked health issue, affecting 1 in 5 mothers worldwide, and making it one of the most common complications following childbirth. More than just the “baby blues”, PPD can significantly impact not only the mother, but also the wellbeing of her child, partner and family. Tragically, up to 20% of maternal deaths in the postpartum period are attributed to suicide [1] and yet, in 2025, we still don’t have the clinical test that can reliably identify women at risk.

The current gap in care

Screening for postpartum depression is typically done using simple, subjective self-reporting questionnaires, such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), to identify women at risk.

Although helpful, these tools rely on a mother’s willingness to disclose how she is feeling – something that can be affected by fear or lack of support. As a result, many mothers are not screened at all, meaning a substantial number go undiagnosed, misdiagnosed or untreated for their depression.

A new approach: Blood based screening for PPD

Ketim Technologies is working to close this gap by developing the world’s first clinical blood test for post-partum depression. Using proteins found in blood, combined with health and clinical data, their AI and machine learning pipeline aims to identify objective and reliable markers of risk.  This is a significant step forward from relying solely on questionnaires to using a precise biological test to support early diagnosis.

Clarissa Yates, CEO and Founder of Ketim Technologies says “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 personalised, evidence based mental health care for mothers.”

AGRF is proudly supporting this initiative by providing advanced protein biomarker analysis through Olink proteomics to uncover molecular signals linked to PPD, important information to support the development of a diagnostic test.

Why it matters

This project has the potential to greatly impact maternal health by providing early, accurate screening that goes past self-reported symptoms, and enables new treatment approaches.

Mothers, babies and families will benefit most, with earlier detection leading to faster and more appropriate care and health outcomes ─ and potentially preventing severe ones.   Alongside mothers and their families, the innovation will also support GPs, clinicians and mental health professionals by enabling an objective tool that supports earlier decision making and faster care strategies.

Clarissa’s next phase is to conduct clinical trials to test women with depression symptoms during pregnancy, or after birth.  By combining cutting-edge science with compassion and care, this project aims to close the gap in postpartum health care and give mothers the support they deserve.  We can’t wait to see what happens next.

[1] Ketim, https://www.ketim.com.au/, Accessed 9 July, 2025