SpeeDx and Nepean Hospital develop viral respiratory biomarker test

MedTech News: SpeeDx, an Australian company that develops innovative molecular diagnostic solutions, in partnership with researchers from Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District’s (NBMLHD) Nepean Hospital Intensive Care Unit were awarded funding through the MTPConnect Biomedical Translation Bridge (BTB) program.

Funds will support the commercialisation of a respiratory virus host response test, a rapid-response assay to enhance current COVID-19 management activities and future viral pandemic preparedness.

SpeeDx are adapting the NBMLHD laboratory developed test that targets a key genetic marker that is uniquely expressed in response to respiratory virus infection, with levels of the marker correlated with disease progression. Utilising newly patented InSignia^TM technology that enhances the measurement of gene expression, the commercial test will be a rapid, high-throughput tool to support risk-based stratification of patients presenting with respiratory viral illness, including COVID-19.

“The MTPConnect BTB funding will be instrumental in advancing our commercialisation process and supporting the tight timelines we are setting in order to bring this important product to market,” said Colin Denver, SpeeDx CEO.

Delivered by MTPConnect, the Australian Government’s BTB program is a $22.3 million MRFF initiative that provides up to $1 million in matched funding to nurture the translation of new therapies, technologies and medical devices through to proof of concept to turn innovative medical ideas into reality.