A Boston-based nanotechnology incubator Nanobiosym developed a device and app to make the process of diagnosing a condition less costly and faster in a move that could shake up the diagnostic industry. It has been selected as the winner for the Nokia Sensing XCHALLENGE, according to a company statement.
Nanobiosym’s Gene Radar device can analyze a blood sample, saliva or other bodily fluid using a nanochip placed into a mobile device. It detects whether a pathogen is present or not in less than an hour. It doesn’t require running water or electricity to identify a pathogen’s presence, which makes it particularly useful for adoption in developing countries.
The company specializes in developing new technologies and spin-offs and joint ventures to solve unmet needs in global health, energy and the environment. So far, it has developed applications for E. coli and HIV.
It beat out 11 other finalists in the challenge. Robert K Weiss, the president of XPRIZE said the device met the objectives of the competition — “to advance innovative sensing technologies that will help transform healthcare into a ‘smart,’ highly personalized and instantly accessible system.”
