Symcel CalScreenerAntimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Tool
Measures total phenotype response
Symcel, Stockholm, Sweden, has secured funding to prepare the company for the planned commercialization of its CalScreener technology. The calorimetry-based diagnostic tool aims to carry out antimicrobial susceptibility testing in key clinical fields, including biofilm infection. Symcel’s technology provides clinicians with fast and accurate tests that determine whether an antibiotic should be administered to the patient and the type of antibiotic to utilize. The system provides users with a label-free detection tool with maximal versatility in assay type for interpretation of cellular mechanisms and responses to treatment.
Symcel
[email protected]; www.symcel.se

 

bioLytical-Logo-black_RmediaMulticolor Rapid Detection Assay Systems
Detects antibodies to pathogens
BioLytical Laboratories, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, has filed two patent applications with the US Patent and Trademark Office relating to multicolor rapid detection assay systems. The first patent application describes a method for detecting active or past infection, using Zika as an example. The second patent application describes a method for differentiating early from later stages of infection. The two new patent applications are based on the company’s Insti platform and describe methods and kits allowing either simultaneous or sequential detection of different antibody classes to multiple pathogens using a single sample of blood or blood product.
BioLytical Laboratories
(866) 674-6784; www.biolytical.com

 

TAmiRNA_OsteomiRMolecular Diagnostic Kit
Developed for the detection of osteoporosis
TAmiRNA GmbH, Vienna, has debuted the Osteomi molecular diagnostic kit for the detection of osteoporosis. The Osteomi kit standardizes laboratory and data analysis of osteoporosis-related microRNAs in patient serum samples. The results of clinical development have shown that serum concentrations of specific microRNAs are significantly associated with osteoporosis and the risk of fractures. Using multivariate diagnostic algorithms, a significant improvement in the classification of bone densitometry and other risk scores can be achieved. For research use only.
TAmiRNA
[email protected]; www.tamirna.com

 

Quantapore logo CMYK_1Single-Molecule Sequencing Technology
Utilizes optical readout
Quantapore Inc, Menlo Park, Calif, is developing a novel, single-molecule sequencing technology that aims to reduce the cost of sequencing significantly. Utilizing an optical readout, the company’s proprietary sequencing technology looks to eliminate such bottlenecks as laborious sample preparation and short read length. Quantapore recently announced it has closed a Series C financing round led by China BioPharma Capital I.
Quantapore
(650) 321-2167; www.quantapore.com

 

BiofortunaBlood Group Genotyping Family
Offers rapid genomic analysis
Biofortuna Ltd, Wirral, UK, has achieved key milestones in the development of its new blood group genotyping product family, ReadyPlex. The breakthrough has released the second tranche of its 2015 funding, totaling £1.5 million, which will be used for final development and commercialization of the product line. The product portfolio is aimed at the transfusion market, and will offer rapid genomic analysis of coagulation polymorphisms, erythrocyte blood groups, human neutrophil antigens, and human platelet antigens.
Biofortuna
[email protected]; biofortuna.com

 

Clinical Genomics ColveraTwo-Gene Circulating Tumor DNA Blood Test
For postsurgical monitoring of colorectal cancer recurrence
Clinical Genomics, Bridgewater, NJ, recently launched Colvera, a blood-based circulating tumor DNA test intended as an aid to detecting colorectal cancer (CRC) recurrence. Colvera has the potential to identify CRC recurrence at an early stage, when clinical intervention is most likely to be successful. Recent clinical data and published peer-reviewed studies show that Colvera detects twice the number of recurrence cases as carcinoembryonic antigen testing, the standard blood test used for CRC recurrence monitoring. Colvera measures the presence of methylation—a chemical modification associated with tumor growth and invasion—in two genes (BCAT1 and IKZF1) associated with CRC development.
Clinical Genomics
(908) 300-8673; www.clinicalgenomics.com

 

Washington State University spectometer deviceSmartphone Spectrometer
Analyzes eight samples at once
Washington State University researchers have developed a low-cost, portable laboratory on a smartphone that can analyze several samples at once to detect a cancer biomarker, producing lab-quality results. The WSU research team created an eight-channel smartphone spectrometer that can detect human interleukin-6 (IL-6), a known biomarker for breast, epithelial, liver, and lung cancers. Although the group has only used the smartphone spectrometer with standard lab-controlled samples, the device has been up to 99% accurate. The researchers are now applying their portable spectrometer in real-world situations.
Washington State University
(509) 335-8654; www.mme.wsu.edu

 

Purvesh KhatriSeven-Gene Expression Test
Discriminates between bacterial, viral infections
A simple blood test in development may accurately identify whether a patient has a bacterial infection and would benefit from antibiotics, according to researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine. The team used publicly available patient gene-expression data to pinpoint just seven human genes whose activity changes during an infection; their pattern of activity can distinguish whether an infection is bacterial or viral. The preliminary version of the blood test produces results in 4 to 6 hours.
Stanford University School of Medicine
(650) 723-4000; med.stanford.edu

 

Hamilton Storage_LabElite_DeCapper

Decapper and ID Capper System
Features a six-channel head
Hamilton Storage, Franklin, Mass, has recently upgraded its LabElite decapper and ID capper, and its LabElite ID reader, for continued workflow efficiencies in tube-based sample management. On the LabElite device, a six-channel head enables use of 24-well tube racks in addition to 48- and 96-well tube racks. A wide variety of internally or externally threaded microtubes, cryovials, and specialty tubes can be rapidly decapped and capped without the need for additional hardware. The LabElite ID reader features ColdScan technology to scan tube racks directly out of a freezer without compromising sample integrity or risking identification errors.
Hamilton Storage
(800) 648-5950; www.hamiltoncompany.com

 

Siemens XpreciaStrideCoagulation Analyzer
Uses fresh capillary whole blood
Siemens Healthineers, Tarrytown, NY, has announced FDA premarket notification (510(k)) clearance for its handheld portable Xprecia Stride coagulation analyzer. The device delivers reliable prothrombin time international normalized ratio (PT/INR) testing for point-of-care monitoring and management of oral anticoagulation therapy with warfarin, a vitamin K antagonist. The analyzer uses fresh capillary whole blood, and results are expressed as an INR. Safety features include a test strip eject button that allows the user to eject a used test strip and easily dispose of it without touching it, minimizing potential biohazard exposure.
Siemens Healthineers
(800) 743-6367; www.siemens.com