The US Department of Health and Human Services Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) has awarded a $1.25 million contact to Beckman Coulter, Brea, Calif, for work to develop an algorithm for early detection of sepsis. Provided through BARDA’s division of research, innovation, and ventures, the contract may be increased by as much as $6.5 million if all contract options are exercised.

The contract will enable Beckman Coulter, in collaboration with Dascena, Oakland, Calif, to develop and commercialize a novel machine-learning-based algorithm for the detection of sepsis. The objective of the next-generation analytic algorithm is to accurately predict and detect sepsis earlier by combining novel laboratory test parameters with electronic health record information, ultimately reducing sepsis mortality through earlier intervention and reducing the total cost of care.

Elliott Crouser, MD, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Elliott Crouser, MD, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

“Sepsis, defined as dysregulated immune response to infection, is a high-priority health concern accounting for the deaths of approximately 250,000 Americans and millions globally each year, and is the most expensive medical condition encountered in most hospitals,” says Elliott Crouser, MD, professor of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and principal investigator in the clinical trial for Beckman Coulter’s early sepsis indicator. “Delays in the detection and treatment of sepsis during its early phases can contribute significantly to adverse outcomes. The objective of this project will be to deliver earlier and more accurate sepsis detection. The resulting predictive analytic algorithm for sepsis detection is expected to have a major global impact.”

Creation of the algorithm is part of BARDA’s mission to accelerate the development and availability of transformative technologies and approaches to protect Americans from health threats such as sepsis.

“This project integrates the novel laboratory parameters generated on the Beckman Coulter DxH 900 hematology analyzer into Dascena’s best-in-class sepsis prediction and detection algorithm,” says David Persing, MD, PhD, chief scientific officer for the Danaher diagnostics platform. “We aim to leverage the unique ability of the DxH 900 to detect changes in monocyte distribution width and combine the results, along with other diagnostic parameters and vital-sign data, with a multimodal algorithm expected to achieve unprecedented levels of performance.”

Chris Riley, Beckman Coulter Diagnostics.

Chris Riley, Beckman Coulter Diagnostics.

“We are proud to partner with BARDA and to further our shared mission of advancing healthcare by improving early detection for sepsis patients,” says Chris Riley, president of Beckman Coulter Diagnostics. “By combining the power of Beckman Coulter’s early sepsis indicator and Dascena’s capabilities into a digital diagnostic solution, we believe we will facilitate earlier and more-effective detection and intervention, and help hospital systems counteract this deadly and expensive condition.”

For more information, visit Beckman Coulter.