AstraDx, Beverly, Massachusetts, USA
https://www.astradx.com

AstraDx is developing a robust, low-cost instrument to detect neonatal sepsis that can perform pathogen detection, pathogen identification, and phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) directly from whole blood and produce results within 4 hours.

Neonatal sepsis is a life-threatening response to bloodstream infections that occur in newborns fewer than 28 days old. Due to their immature immune systems, newborns are particularly susceptible to infections. AstraDx is using advanced digital imaging and signal processing to reduce the time to ID and AST results from days to just hours after a blood draw in an effort to ensure newborns receive the right antibiotics in time to save lives.

The BARNARDS study estimated that 2.5 million neonates or infants in the first month of life die annually of sepsis, with the greatest burden in low- and middle-income countries. Since neonatal sepsis progresses rapidly, it requires immediate treatment with IV fluids and antibiotics. The risk of death from neonatal sepsis increases 7.6% every hour a treatment is delayed.

Current Development Stage: Feasibility

CARB-X Investment: US$3M

Initial CARB-X Investment Date: February 6, 2025