SpeeDx Pty. Ltd. and QuantuMDx Group Ltd. announced a collaboration with the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND). The global non-profit organization drives development and delivery of diagnostics to combat major diseases affecting the world’s poorest populations. The collaborative project will assess the feasibility of developing low-cost point of care (POC) tests for common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). SpeeDx will use their proprietary PlexPCR technology to develop multiplex tests for common STIs, including gonorrhea and Mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen), to be run on the QuantuMDx Q-POCTM POC device.
“We are excited by this collaboration with QuantuMDx and the potential to expand access to high quality testing options to the areas of the world that really need it,” said Dr. Elisa Mokany, SpeeDx Founder and Chief Technology Officer. “Patients around the globe are already benefiting from the clinically relevant information provided by SpeeDx tests, but we are cognizant that the current platforms and processes in use to run these tests do not readily translate to all regions of the world.”
The QuantuMDx Q-POCTM is a battery-operated, microfluidics based, sample-to-answer system for low-cost molecular testing using rapid PCR followed by microarray detection.
“QuantuMDx is always looking to expand the portfolio of diagnostic tests available on the Q-POCTM platform, and this collaboration with SpeeDx is an obvious choice given the proven compatibility of their robust chemistry across a range of platform technologies” said Jonathan O’Halloran, Chief Scientific Officer at QuantuMDx Group. “We have a common goal to enhance the standard of healthcare around the globe, this partnership will accelerate our efforts and combine our lab-standard point of care device with SpeeDx world-class test technology.”
SpeeDx has commercialized a range of tests, principally for STIs, that are in use across Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The flagship ResistancePlus tests for Mgen and gonorrhea that include markers for antibiotic resistance/susceptibility have shaped patient management guidelines around the world, providing Resistance Guided Therapy options to clinicians and enabling improved care for patients while fostering antimicrobial stewardship. ResistancePlus GC recently received FDA Breakthrough designation to accelerate the process towards clearance for use in the U.S., and clinical trials for ResistancePlus MG are nearing completion with expected U.S. launch early 2020.
