Cornell startup GeneWEAVE sought a turn-key development partner who could design and develop a diagnostic instrument for their novel technology.
Problem
Each year roughly 90,000 Americans succumb to an invasive Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) infection. MRSA infections arise from a number of different settings - from hospitals to high school wrestling mats. Deemed a ‘super bug,’ MRSA has become resistant to many of the antibiotics typically used to treat staph infections. Testing for MRSA is a hands-on process and can take up to 4-6 days to produce a prognosis - enough time for the rapidly-progressing infection to spread to internal organs and potentially worsen to the point of surgical intervention.
Background
GeneWEAVE was founded at Cornell University by three graduate students who identified a phage-based technology, dubbed Smarticles™, and realized its potential for use in rapid diagnostics. By using Smarticles™ technology, GeneWEAVE discovered that they could reproduce fluorescence through natural biological reactions, rather than relying on traditional chemistry. By decreasing time to prognosis, GeneWEAVE could combat MRSA and prevent the infection from worsening. While they understood their core science, GeneWEAVE needed a qualified engineering and development partner to assist in bringing their consumable and instrument ideas to fruition.
Why Ximedica?
GeneWEAVE relied on Ximedica’s expertise in:
- Human-Centric Design
- Consumable Design
- Blister Pack Design and Reagent Storage
- Robotics
- Sample Handling
- Optics
- Thermal Controls
- Software Development
- Manufacturing Process and Transfer
- System Architecture and Total System Engineering