Real-Time PCR POC Diagnostic Platform Yields Lab-Grade Results in 10 Minutes

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 16 Aug 2023

Image: The POC PCR platform combines speed and cost-effectiveness with a 10 minute run-time (Photo courtesy of Sensible Diagnostics)

A real-time PCR point-of-care (POC) diagnostic platform that delivers lab-grade results in just 10 minutes could act as an easy drop-in replacement for current antigen testing workflows.

Sensible Diagnostics (Los Angeles, CA, USA) has developed the world's only true POC system that stands out for its precision, user-friendliness, and cost-effectiveness, making it ideal for high-traffic clinics and doctors' offices. Labeled as "molecular in a box", it encompasses everything needed to conduct a molecular test within a compact CLIA-waived system. This means healthcare providers in settings like physician offices and urgent care clinics can obtain lab-standard molecular results in comparable or even shorter durations than many current antigen tests, all while being more cost-effective and garnering higher reimbursement. The underlying technology for Sensible's platform was initially developed by Curative Inc. (Austin, TX, USA), a significant player in COVID-19 testing during the pandemic. This same technology enabled the processing of over 200,000 daily COVID-19 tests at the pandemic's peak, thanks to the dedicated team of engineers and scientists behind its creation.

Sensible’s vision is to fill a noticeable gap in POC testing by delivering a PCR test that not only works in 10-15 minutes but also costs the same or even less than the current molecular and professional CLIA-waived antigen tests available in the market. Sensible is actively developing two tests and has future plans to create tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HCV and HIV, and a panel dedicated to neonatal infectious disease screening, making the company the go-to choice for molecular POC testing. Recognizing the importance of CLIA-waived POC testing both during pandemics and in regular and emergency medical care, Sensible's objective is to produce a range of infectious disease tests. These tests will provide healthcare professionals with accurate PCR results in just 10-15 minutes, a speed that traditionally has only been achieved by the less reliable "rapid" antigen tests. To expedite the development of a multiplexed PCR respiratory viral panel intended for POC use, Sensible has received funding from the NIH’s Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) Tech program.

"We are proud and excited to have been selected for such a prestigious program," said Ernest Templin, CEO of Sensible. "As the only point-of-care system that was designed by people who have actually run point-of-care tests in the field, these funds will be put to use to further our mission of developing and commercializing one of the world's most affordable, accessible, and accurate point-of-care PCR testing platforms."

Related Links:
Sensible Diagnostics
Curative Inc.