NEW YORK (360Dx) – T2 Biosystems announced today that it has received a grant worth up to $2 million by CARB-X in order to accelerate the development of new tests to identify bacterial pathogens and resistance markers. The new tests will increase the T2Dx instrument product line by detecting 20 additional bacterial species and resistance targets in whole blood samples, with a focus on blood-borne pathogens on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's antibiotic resistance threat list.
T2 Bio will use the funds to identify more than 25 pathogen biomarkers, including Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Through the grant, T2 Bio will receive an initial award of up to $1.1 million, with the possibility of an additional $900,000 if the firm reaches certain project milestones.
"Identifying these infections directly from whole blood with T2MR technology will help patients receive the right therapy faster – improving outcomes and reducing healthcare costs," T2 Bio President and CEO John McDonough said in a statement.
CARB-X is a public-private partnership aimed at early-development antibacterial R&D. It is funded by The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response/Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, and the Wellcome Trust, with in-kind support from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.