The startup develops amplification-free CRISPR technology to create diagnostic assays that require fewer reagents and eliminate the need for RNA or DNA extraction. This approach provides healthcare companies with rapid, sensitive, and quantifiable results while minimizing errors and enabling true multiplexing.
Funding
$300K raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Conventional molecular diagnostic methods like PCR require amplification and reverse transcription, increasing complexity, reagent costs, and potential for errors, while also necessitating RNA or DNA extraction steps. These limitations hinder the development of rapid, scalable, and cost-effective diagnostic assays.
Solution
DirectBio is developing amplification-free CRISPR-based diagnostic assays for rapid and precise detection of airborne viruses and other targets. By harnessing natural and AI-engineered CRISPR enzymes, the technology eliminates the need for amplification, reverse transcription, and nucleic acid extraction, simplifying the diagnostic process. This approach enables faster, cheaper, and more scalable assays with minimized errors and improved sensitivity. The assays are designed for point-of-need applications, including monitoring airborne viruses in indoor environments and detecting pathogens in biodefense scenarios.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes healthcare companies, biodefense organizations, and facilities requiring rapid and accurate detection of airborne pathogens, such as hospitals, schools, and animal stables.
Features
- Amplification-free CRISPR technology eliminates errors associated with traditional PCR methods.
- Direct detection of target molecules without RNA or DNA extraction.
- Utilizes natural and AI-engineered CRISPR enzymes for enhanced speed, specificity, and sensitivity.
- Enables true multiplexing for simultaneous detection of multiple targets.
- Suitable for detecting airborne viruses in indoor spaces, animal stables, and sensitive areas like hospitals.
- Potential applications in biodefense and other point-of-need diagnostics.