Next-Generation 'Agnostic Diagnostics' to Detect Respiratory Viruses at POC
Posted on 26 Jun 2025
An international consortium is working on the development of rapid metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) tools that can detect both known and emerging respiratory pathogens, with the goal of shortening diagnostic timelines and strengthening hospital response and public health readiness.
The consortium named RApid Next Generation Sequencing for Effective Medical Response (RANGER), with the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA, Brussels, Belgium) as contracting authority, aims to develop a rapid, point-of-care mNGS solution that will enable healthcare institutions to perform fast diagnostics for respiratory viruses—bringing the concept of a “Star Trek tricorder” closer to reality in the area of biosurveillance and public health. The project aims to revolutionize diagnostics by empowering healthcare providers to identify complex respiratory illnesses quickly and directly at the bedside through a device that features fully automated, push-button sample processing. With results available in as little as six hours, hospitals would be better equipped to triage patients swiftly, minimizing unnecessary isolation, reducing the need for empirical treatments, and avoiding extended hospital stays.
The concept of "agnostic diagnostics" underpins this effort—the envisioned device would not be limited to detecting a fixed set of known pathogens. Instead, it would be capable of sequencing and identifying nearly any respiratory pathogen, including novel or synthetically modified ones. Such capability would significantly improve readiness for future pandemics. The program is structured into three stages. During the first phase, the consortium will integrate technologies at varying levels of development into a single benchtop platform. This prototype will then undergo clinical evaluation in EU hospitals in the second phase. After successful completion of these trials, the third phase will involve obtaining EU certification and validation for specific analytes and sample types, followed by market launch of the RANGER system. Through its investment in near-patient sequencing tools, HaDEA intends to cut diagnostic delays, support better triage and infection control protocols in hospitals, and bolster early-warning mechanisms for new infectious threats.
"HaDEA is committed to fostering innovative solutions that can strengthen Europe's capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to biological threats," said Marina Zanchi, Director of HADEA. "This project represents a leap forward in leveraging next-generation sequencing at the bedside."
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