Making Molecular Diagnostics Accessible for More Patients and Providers by Simplifying Real-time PCR Testing

Ximedica partnered with an innovative startup to design and develop the first sample-in, answer-out PCR cartridge on the market on an accelerated timeline.

Problem

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing answers a wide range of medical questions to help physicians diagnose and treat, from identifying pathogenic organisms and genetic diseases to detecting biological relationships. When performed manually, the fairly simple test frequently shows user-to-user errors and discrepancies, and the high costs for this test are limiting the uptake in the market by labs and providers.

Background

A startup company based in the Bay Area, California, GenturaDx aspired to create the first completely self-contained PCR test on the market to simplify diagnostic testing and lower costs for labs by eliminating the need for a technician to manually run the sample preparation steps. GenturaDx originally had a development partner in Asia but began experiencing capability and development speed limitations. GenturaDx worried that their competitors were threatening their first-to-market status. Looking for a more experienced partner with PCR experience to help them accelerate their time to market, GenturaDx hired the local Los Gatos-based branch of Ximedica to take over development.

Why Ximedica?

Gentura relied on Ximedica’s hands-on experience in:

  • Concept Generation
  • Cartridge Development
  • Reagent Storage & Dispense
  • Fluidic Control
  • Thermal Control
  • Optics
  • Firmware Development
  • Control Software
  • Industrial Design