PathSensors Inc, a leading biotechnology and environmental testing company, is exhibiting its rapid and reliable pathogen detection systems at the 2014 BIO International Convention (San Diego, June 23-26), offering partnership and investment opportunities for biopharmaceutical and diagnostics companies to develop fast identification assays for harmful pathogens.

Headquartered in Baltimore, PathSensors has successfully commercialized the Canary biosensor technology licensed from the MIT-Lincoln Laboratories. Canary delivers extremely rapid detection of more than 25 pathogens at previously unattainable levels of speed and sensitivity. The device incorporates pathogen-specific antibodies expressed on the biosensor surface, that in the presence of a pathogen (virus, bacteria, or toxin) trigger an intracellular calcium release, which in turn activates bioluminescent proteins to generate the emission of light. The rapid kinetics and signal amplification of Canary enables pathogen detection at sensitivities down to 3 cfu/pfu in less than 5 minutes.

The company’s new Zephyr system for liquid-based assays expands PathSensors’ line of instrumentation, which also includes the BioFlash identifier for aerosol collection and identification of airborne pathogens.

Olsen

Ted Olsen

“As we expand our strategic partnerships with pharma, diagnostics, and financial partners, we will develop fast identification assays for additional harmful toxins, bacteria, and viruses, including Norovirus, Avian Influenza, PEDv, and MERS,” explains PathSensors CEO Ted Olsen. “Our portable systems can detect airborne, foodborne, and surface-based pathogens at a lower cost and at previously unattainable levels of speed and sensitivity.”

PathSensors now offers a complete line of instrumentation that can identify biological agents in any sample matrix: powder, liquid, or aerosol. The instruments can be used standalone or as part of an integrated biological detection system.

Olsen says that PathSensors’ Canary technology has broad applicability for monitoring in many environments, and may also be applicable to in vitro diagnostics. “MIT has worked on a number of applications using urine, blood, and nasal swab specimens,” he explains. “We are actively looking for partners interested in environmental monitoring for Denge, MERS, Avian Influenza, Chicken Guyna, Norovirus, Ebola, and Marburg. An in vitro diagnostics application could be a natural extension in one of these areas.”

“The instruments are easy to use and typically require less than 30 minutes of training,” Olsen explains. “The user interface walks the operator through each step of the assay. As a result, the system can be operated by non-technical personnel, for example, on a cruise ship and field sites.”

PathSensors is currently working with a number of government organizations, including first responders, to deploy the portable Zephyr system to provide fast, sensitive detection of biological risks. “Typically, field samples are transported to regional laboratories for identification testing, which can take critical hours or days,” Olsen explains. “

PathSensors is focused on environmental testing applications,” explains Olsen. “But we are open to new applications of Canary technology, including cooperative research and development agreements, technology licensing, and joint ventures built around new opportunities.”

Britz

Judy Britz, PhD

In addition to funding from the Maryland department of business and economic development and its BioMaryland Center, PathSensors’ financial partners include Blue Venture Investors, Empower Baltimore Management Corp, Chesapeake Emerging Opportunities Club, and the Virginia Active Angel Network.

“PathSensors’ remarkable technology can be used to fight the spread of pathogens through its rapid and accurate detection of bacteria and viruses, which will increase the safety of the food we eat and the air we breathe, said Judy Britz, PhD, executive director of the BioMaryland Center. “Faster identification leads to faster treatment, and we’re proud to be a funding partner for this life-saving technology.”

For more information, visit PathSensors.