New Instrument-Light CRISPR-Based POC Tests to Rapidly and Accurately Detect Pathogens and Genetic Markers

New generation point-of-care (POC) CRISPR-based tests capable of detecting pathogens and genetic markers could revolutionize diagnosis and accessibility to testing for clinics, hospitals, and resource-limited areas.

CrisprBits (Bengaluru, India), a biotech start-up specializing in CRISPR gene-editing technology, and MolBio Diagnostics (Goa, India), a pioneer in POC diagnostic solutions, have entered into a strategic collaboration to revolutionize POC diagnostics by integrating CRISPR technology into POC tests. The collaboration will leverage CrisprBits' biotechnology expertise and MolBio's capabilities in translation, manufacturing, and distribution to create POC tests that can detect pathogens and genetic markers. These tests will be accessible in clinics, hospitals, and regions with limited resources.

Image: The new POC CRISPR-based tests could detect pathogens and genetic markers (Photo courtesy of CrisprBits)

This strategic partnership is expected to advance accessible, cost-effective, and accurate diagnostic testing at the forefront of healthcare. Utilizing the remarkable sensitivity and specificity of RNA guide-based target identification of nucleic acids, along with the unique cis and trans-cleavage properties of certain Cas enzymes, CrisprBits has developed a platform known as PathCrisp. This platform is designed to create rapid, accurate, and affordable POC tests for a diverse range of diseases and health conditions. While CrisprBits will lead the development of the PathCrisp platform for POC testing, MolBio will leverage its extensive manufacturing capacity and well-established sales and marketing network to promote and distribute these innovative POC tests worldwide.

"The reimagination of health systems in India has to ride on a central role played by “pervasive” diagnostic tests POCTs (Point-of-care tests) that are light on instruments, affordable, and designed for ease of use by community health workers. This would enable better preventive care and early detection interventions in treatment,” said Dr. Vijay Chandru, Chief Scientific Officer and Co-founder, CrisprBits. “This innovation has to be driven in the LMICs (Low and Middle Income Countries) as developed economies have legacy infrastructure that addresses these issues with access to labs or clinics at a different scale. By teaming up with Molbio Diagnostics, we are combining our innovations in instrument-light CRISPR POCTs to develop and distribute a new generation of tests that are pervasive and will enable early detection and timely treatment."

"We are very excited about this partnership with CrisprBits. The coming together of their innovation and Molbio’s strengths in translation, manufacturing, and distribution has the potential to rapidly provide cutting-edge diagnostics solutions where it is required the most,” added Dr. Chandrashekar Nair, Chief Technical Officer of Molbio Diagnostics. “This collaboration aligns perfectly with our overarching mission to provide reliable and accessible point-of-care diagnostic solutions that empower healthcare professionals globally."

Related Links:
CrisprBits 
MolBio Diagnostics