T2 Biosystems lands $2m grant for ‘ superbug ’ test

T2 Biosystems won a $2 million grant to develop a test using its T2Dx MR-based technology to detect strains of drug-resistant bacteria or so-called “superbugs.” The grant is from Carb-X, a Boston University-based public-private partnership aimed at furthering anti-bacterial R&D that’s jointly funded by the U.S. Health & Human Services Dept.’s Biomedical Advanced Research & Development Authority and the Wellcome Trust. The group has a $455 million war chest to deploy until 2021 to back the development of new antibiotics, therapeutics, vaccines, rapid diagnostics and devices to treat drug-resistant bacterial infections. Lexington, Mass.-based T2 said it plans to develop new tests for its T2Dx instrument for 20 additional bacterial species and resistance targets, focusing on the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s threat list of antibiotic-resistant blood-borne pathogens. “The collaboration with Carb-X will accelerate the development of diagnostic tests to identify major bacterial species and resistance genes faster than ever,” president & CEO John McDonough said in prepared remarks. “Identifying these infections directly from whole blood with T2MR technology will help patients receive the right therapy faster – improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. We believe these diagnostic advances will also support the development of new antibiotics by accelerating clinical trials, attacking th...
Source: Mass Device - Category: Medical Devices Authors: Tags: Diagnostics Funding Roundup T2 Biosystems Inc. Source Type: news