DNAe was named ‘Most Innovative Team or Innovator of the Year’ at the inaugural 2018 Medtech Insight Awards.
London, UK and Carlsbad, CA, USA – 27 September 2018 – DNAe, the inventor of semiconductor-based genomic analysis technologies, and the developer of a new game-changing test for bloodstream infections (BSI) that can lead to sepsis, was named ‘Most Innovative Team or Innovator of the Year’ at the inaugural 2018 Medtech Insight Awards.
The Most Innovative Team or Innovator of the Year award recognizes the medical technology team that has contributed most significantly to the device and diagnostic space between 1 January 2017 and 31 May 2018. DNAe beat the other finalists, electroCore, Eyenovia, Innoventions, MediSieve, Owlstone Medical, PolarityTE, and The Trendlines Group Labs Team to the award. DNAe was chosen by the expert judges for its development achievements during the qualifying period and towards realizing a rapid, user-friendly, direct-from-sample diagnostic platform based on its semiconductor sequencing technology1.
DNAe, a spin-out of Imperial College London, fundamentally redesigned DNA sequencing from the ground up, using novel technologies that will be suitable for rapid diagnosis closer to the frontline of care and operable by non-specialist end users. The Company was judged to be the high performing team that has been most successful in reaching its goals, adopted innovative working practices, achieved major milestones within expected timelines, and contributed to the advancement of medical technology for unmet medical needs.
Accepting the award at the Medtech Insight Awards ceremony on 23 September at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Philadelphia, USA, Sam Reed, Program Director and President of DNAe’s U.S. Office, said:“Winning this award is a great honor, and a testament to our whole team’s dedication and performance. The ultimate goal is to enable sequencing to solve urgent unmet clinical needs, including antimicrobial resistance and influenza. We strongly believe that innovation is fundamental to achieving our mission to enable DNA sequencing to be used in hospitals, much closer to the frontline of care than it is used today.”
DNAe’s sequencing-based diagnostic platform promises to revolutionize the ability of physicians to treat antimicrobial resistant infections by rapidly identifying the infectious agent including any antimicrobial resistance. This has potential to enable swifter treatment of infections with targeted therapeutics to improve patient outcomes and address a critical unmet need.
DNAe’s sequencing platform in development is funded in part by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA)1, who awarded DNAe a contract worth up to $51.9 million, if all options are exercised, to develop its next generation sequencing platform for rapid diagnosis of antimicrobial resistant infections and influenza.
Dr Steve Allen, CEO of DNAe Group Holdings, commented: “The first two years of our contract with BARDA to develop a rapid, user-friendly, direct-from-sample diagnostic sequencing platform have been highly productive. We are delighted that our technologies and the inspirational thinking of our talented scientists and engineers have been recognized with this prestigious award.”
In parallel to its next-generation sequencing based platform, DNAe is developing a diagnostic which uses DNA amplification (PCR) and semiconductor technology, to detect pathogens and key resistance markers. Also operating directly from blood, this first-generation system will provide actionable results within 2-3 hours. The test, called LiDia® Bloodstream Infection (BSI)2,3, has the potential to transform the management of sepsis.
Professor Chris Toumazou, inventor of DNAe’s semiconductor sequencing technology, DNAe’s Executive Chairman and Regius Professor of Engineering at Imperial College London (Department of EEE) added,“Bringing genomics and DNA sequencing for rapid diagnosis closer to the patient will transform the treatment pathway by arming doctors with actionable information that they need to make a timely, appropriate, and evidence-based treatment decision. I am delighted that our achievements and potential have been recognized in this award.”
The Medtech Insight Awards Judging Panel commented, “DNAe is developing a next-generation sequencing platform for rapid diagnosis of antimicrobial resistant infections and influenza. An outstanding advancement in one of the most critical health issues today. The organized teamwork, with multi-disciplinary expertise, is very impressive. This company has accomplished a great deal.”
1 This project has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services; Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, under Contract No. HHSO100201600017C.
2 Test in development. For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures
3 This project has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services; Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, under Contract No. HHSO100201400015C.
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About DNAe – www.dnae.com
DNAe is developing its pioneering semiconductor DNA sequencing technology for healthcare applications where rapid near-patient live diagnostics is needed to provide actionable information to clinicians, saving lives by enabling the right treatment at the right time.
In January 2015 DNAe acquired nanoMR, Inc. (now DNA Electronics Inc.), a developer of a novel system for rapid isolation of rare cells in the bloodstream. DNAe is developing LiDia®, its sample-to-result genomic analysis platform, combining DNA Electronics Inc.’s Pathogen Capture System with its own portfolio of semiconductor-based genomic technologies, trademarked Genalysis®. The LiDia® range of tests will enable DNA analysis directly on a microchip, providing rapid and accurate results from a user-friendly system.
DNAe’s initial focus is on infectious disease diagnostics, where speed and DNA-specific information can make the difference between life and death. LiDia® will launch with the LiDia® Bloodstream Infection (BSI) test, a groundbreaking rapid direct-from-specimen test for bloodstream infections that lead to sepsis. Built into a compact device for use at the point of need, the system will diagnose accurately and rapidly what infection a patient has, providing the clinician with actionable information to help select the appropriate antibiotics to treat the disease.
A private company, with bases in London, UK and Carlsbad, CA, USA, DNAe has strong financial backing from its investors, including major shareholder Genting Berhad, a Malaysian-based global investor with a growing portfolio of cutting–edge life sciences companies.
Issued for and on behalf of DNAe by Instinctif Partners.
For more information please contact:
DNAe
Dr Steve Allen, Chief Executive Officer, DNAe Group
Instinctif Partners (media relations)
Sue Charles / Ashley Tapp / Alex Bannister
Tel: +44 (0)20 7036 2100
Tel: +44 (0)20 7457 2020
Email: DNAe@instinctif.com
