www.clinicalomics.com November/December 2017 Clinical OMICs 25
device won the $10 million Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE in
2017. "The diagnostic engine is an app on a phone or tablet,"
noted Basil Harris, the company's founder, CEO, and CMO.
"The app is responsible for the fusion of data, requests
for further inputs, the diagnosis, and suggested courses
of action." It tells the user how and when to call upon the
kits' peripheral
devices, such as a
blood pressure cuff,
glucose sensor, a
digital stethoscope,
and urine tests.
The device is
based on analysis
of actual patient
data, artificial intel-
ligence, and the
founders' years
of experience in
clinical emergency
medicine. The platform includes a set of non-invasive sen-
sors that are designed to collect data on vital signs, body
chemistry, and biological function. It also pulls together
data from the patient's personal, clinical and family history.
The first versions of DxtER, currently in early trails, will
be able to continuously track blood glucose, white blood cell
count, and hemoglobin, without any need to puncture the
skin. The urine test will detect 10 substances and the digital
stethoscope will help diagnose conditions such as pneumo-
nia and COPD. Each component (e.g., the glucose sensor,
digital stethoscope, and urine tests) will go through FDA-re-
quired testing over the next few years.
That's where POC is moving, toward more data analy-
sis and flow, and
products that even
patients can use in
their own home.
For the near
future, Glorikian
sees a lot resting
o n g o v e r n m e n t
support. "It may
come as a sur-
prise to some, but
the government is
one of the biggest
drivers of testing,"
Glorikian said. "If they continue to push for value-based
reimbursement and POC testing yields better results more
quickly, with better outcomes and lower costs, that's a
model with tremendous value."
Pathway's Nova sees particular growth in POC omics.
"In a decade from now every physician's office will have a
DNA reader of their own," he said. The patient, meanwhile,
will be receiving all their healthcare data on their phone and
bringing it with them to every visit.
Two Pore Guys CEO Dan Heller (center) and team have raised more than
$24 million to develop its handheld nanopore diagnostic tool (below).