PORTFOLIO

Antibiotic resistance, fed by the inappropriate overprescription of antibiotics, is fast becoming a global emergency. In the case of gonorrhea, one of the most common sexually transmitted infections, the situation is especially dire; only a single drug remains that is broadly effective against the disease. One reason for this superfluous administration of antibiotics is that prescribing them based on symptoms is often quicker and cheaper than conducting a diagnostic test. Thus, key to addressing this emerging global problem is the development of fast, reliable, and accessible diagnostic technologies.
At Checktor Biosciences, we aim to bridge this gap by leveraging our novel molecular diagnostic assay. We are developing an affordable and accurate diagnostic test that can detect gonorrhea, similar infections, and their antibiotic susceptibilities, within 10 minutes at any point-of-care. In doing so, our device will enable doctors to make more informed choices regarding the prescription of antibiotics. This, in turn, will help reduce healthcare costs and the proliferation of antibiotic resistance, and improve the health of patients. Furthermore, the accessibility of our device will enable its deployment within previously inaccessible locations, expanding the user-base and potential impact.

In the first phase of the project, we will be making strides to improve our current product. In particular, we will reshape our current prototype with the feedback collected during the field validation in Zambia. Further, we will develop a multiplexed cartridge for Neisseria Gonorrheae, enhance the device compactness, and integrate a real-time positive/negative decision-making algorithm. In the second phase of the project, we will clinically validate the new product version, a crucial step to establish our regulatory readiness.