Visby Medical Gains $3.9 Million Grant to Enhance Antibiotic Resistance Diagnostics with PCR Technology

Visby Medical's Significant Grant for Antibiotic Resistance Diagnostics

In a pivotal move in the fight against antibiotic resistance, Visby Medical™ has announced the acquisition of an additional $3.9 million funding from the Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X). This latest infusion comes after an earlier grant of $1.2 million awarded in December 2023. The funding aims to expedite the development of innovative diagnostic solutions that can detect mutations responsible for antibiotic resistance, with an initial focus on ciprofloxacin susceptibility.

The Challenge of Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance has emerged as a pressing issue across healthcare systems globally, particularly within sexually transmitted infections (STIs) where incidence rates continue to soar. Doctors often face challenges in identifying suitable antibiotics for treatment, especially for infections caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), which has shown increasing resistance to conventional antibiotics.

With Visby's advanced rapid PCR testing platform, healthcare providers will be able to determine quickly whether ciprofloxacin, a previously frontline antibiotic now sidelined due to resistance, is an effective treatment option. This could significantly impact the management of STIs, offering a means to preserve the efficacy of ceftriaxone, the only remaining antibiotic effective against resistant forms of gonorrhea, for more resistant cases.

Innovative Diagnostic Tools

Visby Medical’s tests have already shown promising capabilities in detecting Neisseria gonorrhoeae from urine and vaginal samples, specifically identifying ciprofloxacin-susceptible strains. As part of their ongoing development, efforts will now concentrate on integrating these diagnostic capabilities into the Visby Medical Sexual Health Test, which simultaneously tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis.

In addition to these advancements, Visby Medical is set to introduce a digital companion application that leverages artificial intelligence to streamline the interpretation of test results. The goal is to facilitate immediate treatment decisions during patient consultations while also working on innovative cost-reducing measures for their diagnostic platform.

The Future of Antibiotic Treatment

The urgency surrounding antibiotic resistance cannot be understated. Dr. Gary Schoolnik, Chief Medical Officer at Visby Medical, emphasizes the critical nature of enhancing treatment possibilities for antibiotic-resistant infections, particularly gonorrhea, which serves as a concerning example of how bacteria can evolve resistance. He points out that reviving the use of ciprofloxacin could extend the functionality of ceftriaxone well into the future rather than diminishing its effectiveness over a short period.

About Visby Medical

Established in 2012, Visby Medical has pioneered a proprietary, instrument-free single-use PCR platform that fits comfortably in the palm of a hand. This innovation allows for diagnostic tests for various serious infections, yielding true PCR results in less than 30 minutes. Their point-of-care tests cater to a range of infections, including STIs and respiratory diseases like COVID-19 and influenza.

As Visby Medical embarks on this new chapter funded by CARB-X, the healthcare community remains hopeful for advancements in the management of antibiotic resistance. For further details about Visby’s initiatives and technology, visit their website at www.visby.com. Follow Visby Medical on LinkedIn for more updates on their groundbreaking work in diagnostics.