PORTFOLIO

The aim of the business idea is to enable patients to self-test for a range of diseases with a highly portable system that can immediately integrate the result into healthcare data networks, retaining physician involvement in their patient’s care. To deliver such product, multiple requirements must be met: consumer price range, wide testing capability, connectivity, high sensitivity & high specificity and finally ease-of-use.

The core of Qloudlab’s system is a patented modular architecture that allows the system’s biosensors to be updated, depending of the user needs. Users will be able to choose one diagnostic function and add others over time without having to buy new costly devices.

In order to keep the price of the system low, smartphones and tablets are used to provide strong networking capability and tailored user experience. While data communication enables great telemedicine opportunities, special care must be taken to enforce compliance with medical data regulation.

Main areas of research are:
Sensor and test strip calibration: Commercially available test strip are evaluated in collaboration with an expert in Biochemistry and Swiss hospital. The system must be in compliance with strong regulation applied to the in-vitro diagnostic area (sensitivity & specificity).
Device R&D: Sensor design, parts production friendly designs as well as embedded circuits are being developed and optimized.

Until now companion diagnostics involved one device per diagnostic to perform. This limitation, in addition to the expensive price of each meters, prevented patients to self-test at their convenience. The modular architecture and the powerful smartphone integration of Qloudlab’s product enable mobile multi-diagnostics and outstanding ease-of-use. Finally, the product is also an open platform for medical device manufacturer to put new point-of-care test on the market with much lower entry barrier.

Qloudlab has developed a POCT for full lipid panel assessment (HDL, Triglycerides, Total Cholesterol) compatible with commercially available test strip. A clinical trial has been designed in partnership with the CHUV hospital and will start mid-September. The output of this trial will be a report attesting of the POCT’s performance. In parallel Qloudlab has developed the reader compatible with its product modular architecture. The device is using Bluetooth as well as RFID communications. Additionally, Qloudlab is developing in parthernship with an EPFL laboratory (CTI project) a new nanoplasmonic sensor for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea POC diagnostics.