A breakthrough technique for the common multi drug resistant infections that effect patients during their stay at hospitals. This simple test provides the essential information for evidence-based treatment days before the standard testing procedure is completed. Covered by the antharax patent.

Determination of sensitivity to antibacterial drugs and identification of drug resistant strains

Highlights

• Multi-drug resistance in bacteria an alarming problem, while their detection and characterization continues to depend on traditional methodology that requires days before results obtained.
• Delays and therapeutic failures further promote the spread of multidrug resistance in hospitals and in the community; in cases of emergency such as acts of bioterrorism identification of the correct drug must be made within less than 3 hours of exposure to save lives.
• Potential to avoid countless therapeutic failures if the correct, evidence -based treatment can be started without delay.
• System offers, for the first time, means to obtain all information needed to begin evidence-based therapy within minutes or, at the latest, in less than 3 hours after presentation.

Our Innovation

• A system based on using a selected enzyme as a marker for determining the sensitivity of an infection to antibacterial drugs and for identifying drug resistant strains. The system consists of two kits. The first kit detects the presence of a multidrug resistant bacterial infection and informs which, if any, of the beta-lactam antibiotics of choice can be used. If other antibacterial drugs are considered a second test kit provides the sensitivity profile needed for evidence-based treatment. It also includes the option of rapid identification of the infecting agent. Both kits are designed for direct point-of-care testing.  Results of the first can be ready in less than 30 minutes; results of the second, in less than 3 hours.

Key Features

• Simple neither kit requires special equipment or skills
• Testing can be directly scanned; progress of the reaction can be displayed in real time on computer screens
• Results can be read directly and re-checked at any later time, even if not scanned into a computer
• Development Milestones
• Proof of concept established
• A working prototype kit is available for immediate detection and profiling of urinary tract infections

The Opportunity

• Physicians and clinics for rapid detection of a multi-drug resistant infection with correct determination of its susceptibility to antibacterial drugs.
• Hospitals : admission, emergency services, intensive care units (detection and subsequent monitoring)
• Homeland security in the event of suspected germ warfare or terrorist act: ability to test for presence of anthrax and its susceptibility to any antibiotics available. Results available on the spot within less than one hour. 
  

project-id 19-2007-1784

U.S. patent filed 60/907,630; PCT now filed.