Swab-based pepsin activity results in minutes Giving clinicians helpful data for reflux evaluation
Veritas-DX is developing pepPOP™, a prescription, clinician-used, single-use qualitative color-change test designed to show evidence of pepsin activity in minutes. Pepsin is a stomach digestive enzyme that clinicians may interpret when evaluating reflux.
- Results in minutes
- No lab or electronics
- Qualitative color-change readout
- Class II 510(k) path in preparation
Regulatory status: pepPOP™ is an investigational prescription device. It is not FDA cleared or approved, is not available for sale, and is intended to test for pepsin for clinician interpretation in reflux evaluation, not to diagnose acid reflux or GERD as a standalone test.
We don't just detect pepsin. We detect pepsin activity.
Simple cheek swab sample
No invasive, uncomfortable, slow lab-based workflow.
Add and observe
Two-stage pepsin steps to better understand activity.
Visible color-change result in minutes
The presence or absence of a colorimetric change during the two-stage test gives the clinician data to better recommend reflux therapy.
Simply a faster, more comfortable, more useful point-of-care test
How pepPOP™ compares to other tools clinicians may use when evaluating reflux.
| pepPOP™Veritas-DX | Mail-in pepsin testPepsinCheck® / Peptest® | Ambulatory pH probeBravo / catheter | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where it's done | By a clinician at the visit | Sample mailed to a lab | Specialist clinic |
| Result in | Minutes | ~A week | After 24–96 hrs of wear |
| Time burden | Designed for clinician use during a single visit | Sample collection, shipping, and lab turnaround | Device placement, wear period, return, and interpretation |
| Cost profile | Single-use qualitative test; no lab or electronics | Lab processing and logistics model | Specialist equipment, procedure, and monitoring workflow |
| What it provides | Qualitative pepsin activity evidence based on visible color change | Pepsin presence — yes / no | Acid exposure data |
| Where it's read | Visual color change on the single-use test | Lab instrument | Capsule / catheter recorder |
| FDA status | Class II 510(k) strategy in preparation; not cleared | Class 1 listing | 510(k) cleared |
We are reinventing the standard of care for acid reflux testing
We believe pepPOP™ can help change the standard of care by giving clinicians a useful, fast point-of-care tool for pepsin activity evidence once FDA cleared for commercial distribution.
- Regulatory pathClass II 510(k)
- StatusWorking prototype · FDA Pre-Sub scheduled · Non-provisional filings · Supply chain development
- ModelSwab-based qualitative test with results in minutes
Experienced Leadership
Joetta Stewart, DDS
Practicing dentist and Air Force veteran who discovered the clinical gap, invented the detection approach, and prototyped the technology.
Richard Thompson
26+ year product development expert and serial founder who has helped bring 25+ products to market and 24+ patents and founder of Sailfish Labs.
Adam Johnson
24+ years helping companies successfully navigate FDA regulatory and quality processes during development, launch, and production for startups, mid-size companies, and international organizations.
Join us in building Veritas-DX
We're raising to advance pepPOP™ through development, regulatory preparation, and FDA review. Detailed materials are shared with verified accredited investors.
- ✓Focused category position. Prescription clinician-used testing built around qualitative pepsin activity evidence, not symptoms alone.
- ✓Regulatory discipline. Professional-use Class II 510(k) strategy in preparation before any commercial distribution.
- ✓Simple single-use model. A qualitative color-change test designed for use without lab processing or electronics, subject to clearance and commercialization.