NEW YORK (360Dx) — Canadian diagnostics developer LightIntegra Technology said today that it has raised $5.3 million in a Series A financing round.
The round was led by Genome BC and Boardwalk Ventures, and included Tower Beach Capital, Coleco Investments, and Quimby Investments.
Vancouver-based LightIntegra said it will use the funding to support the US launch of ThromboLux, a rapid, noninvasive test for platelet activation status that uses dynamic light scattering to determine the size and distribution of all particles in a platelet sample.
According to the company, activated platelets are optimal for clotting and are especially useful for trauma or surgery patients, while non-activated platelets are optimal for cancer patients. Giving the wrong platelets to the wrong patients, such as activated platelets to immunocompromised patients, could lead to failed transfusions. Multiple failed transfusions can ultimately result in death.
"It's well known that platelet transfusions impact the care of cancer patients," LightIntegra President and CEO William Dubiel said in a statement. "However, it may not be known that success depends on the activation status of platelets. ThromboLux removes platelet variation from the blood management process, reducing ineffective transfusions and refractory cases."