Hepta released proof‑of‑concept data indicating cell‑free DNA methylation signatures in plasma reflect liver biology, including fibrosis and cell‑type composition, based on an atlas assembled with Duke researchers. The company argues cfDNA methylation provides a noninvasive readout of pathway activity in metabolic dysfunction‑associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and fibrosis, potentially complementing protein‑based tests for liver disease staging. Hepta’s approach leverages tissue atlases and cfDNA methylation algorithms to mirror tissue-level processes in blood, aiming to enable earlier, less invasive diagnosis and disease monitoring for a condition that affects a large segment of the population.