The firm will also license ApolloDx’s diagnostic platform for development and commercialization of a testing system that can provide results onsite within 30 minutes.
The CibusDx system combines ApolloDx’s hand-held medical diagnostic system with Pronucleotein’s DNA aptamer assay technology for detecting pathogens in food onsite.
It aims to provide producers and regulators with a point-of-need system alternative to laboratory-based analysis, as the Food and Drug Administration implements the Food Safety Modernization Act’s strategy of moving from responding to outbreaks to preventing them.
CibusDx’s approach captures the pathogen of choice with patented biological molecules, called Apollomer probes, that can bind to targets such as foodborne and waterborne pathogens, biological and chemical toxins as well as bacterial cell walls, cell capsules, parasites and viruses.
Aptamer based Apollomer probes are similar to protein antibodies and rival their binding capability but are simpler and less expensive to produce, said the company.
Jared Bauer, CibusDx CEO, said: “Unlike standard lab-based testing the CibusDx system reduces the time it takes to get results to 30 minutes or less from the current system requiring as long as four days.
“The CibusDx test strips do not require refrigeration and have an extended shelf life. They are small and lightweight, allowing them to be quickly shipped to any point in the food supply chain.
“In addition, our backend analytics are built into the platform to track test results, store data and push real-time information into software-based quality management systems.”
ApolloDx technology is based on using test strips with a proprietary Apollomer probe to bind to the substance of interest in the sample. Strips can be developed to detect most substances in a liquid sample.
Binding allows the handheld device to detect the analyte. The analyzer then performs an electrochemical analysis with a smartphone/smart tablet app and reports the result to the same smart device.