SAN DIEGO, Calif.— DCN Dx and DIALUNOX GMbH, the organizers of the Advanced Lateral Flow Conference (ALFC), announced yesterday that Atom Bioworks, Inc. has won the 2021 Rapid Testing Innovation Award.
The award recognizes the best innovation in the field of rapid point-of-care assays or the most novel application for rapid assays during the past year. The prize includes a cash award of $10,000 USD*.
The award was presented Nov. 3 in a ceremony at the 2021 ALFC. The ALFC was held Nov. 1-3, 2021, at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego, Calif.
Atom Bioworks’ technology harnesses developments in nanoengineering to produce DNA nanostructures capable of replacing traditional antibodies in lateral flow and other POC assays. For years, DNA-based detection molecules have been plagued by slow development timelines, low binding affinity, and lack of specificity. Through combining bioinformatics and machine learning, DNA nanostructures can be designed to match the pattern and type of antigens on the surface of a detection target. They presented a modular lateral flow platform where DNA nanostructures can quickly be exchanged within the assay to switch detection targets without the need for assay redevelopment, significantly decreasing the time required to bring a product to market.
Academic, government, and corporate individuals or groups are invited to submit for the Rapid Testing Innovation Award. The cited innovation is not required to be a marketed product; however, it must be beyond the conceptual stage and far enough along in development that data can be provided. The award is not a funding mechanism for future work but rather a recognition of work that has been performed.
“We’re so excited to receive the Rapid Testing Innovation Award and hear feedback from the lateral flow community about our DNA Star alternative antibody platform,” said Sherwood Yao, CEO and co-founder of Atom Bioworks. “With support from RADx, we have developed multiple rapid test prototypes for infectious diseases—including for COVID-19—to prove our platform’s high sensitivity. We’re now looking to co-develop rapid assay products with partners and license our technology for applications that require high sensitivity and a fast development cycle. Winning this award will definitely help bring awareness to our technology.”
“What Atom Bioworks has done is nothing short of impressive,” said Brendan O’Farrell, Ph.D., DCN Dx’s president and founding partner and an ALFC co-host. “There were many great submissions this year, and it was difficult to identify only one. We were bowled over by the quality and innovative spirit of this year’s applicants. In the end, however, Atom Bioworks’ efforts to replace traditional antibodies with DNA nanostructures proved to be most in the spirit of the Rapid Testing Innovation Award. There’s a lot of great work being done in the lateral flow industry today, and we’re excited to encourage it.”
About the Rapid Testing Innovation Award
The Rapid Testing Innovation Award recognizes and incentivizes creativity and entrepreneurship in the rapid testing field with the goal of positively impacting human health, veterinary or environmental testing, biological, chemical, or radiological defense, pharmaceutical manufacturing, food safety and any other area where a rapid test can be used.
About the ALFC
Over the course of three days, the most experienced professionals in the diagnostics industry will guide developers and manufacturers of rapid diagnostic tests and associated products through the steps of producing and commercializing a point-of-care diagnostic device. Attendees come away with the tools and knowledge they need to solve complex challenges and propel their lateral flow projects to the next level.
About the Hosts
DCN Dx’s globally recognized products and services enable today’s leading rapid diagnostics tests. DCN Dx provides end-to-end support for rapid diagnostic test development and production in an array of applications. With DCN Dx, clients receive the products and development, design, manufacturing, and commercialization expertise they need to meet their rapid diagnostic milestones. Learn more at dcndx.com.
DIALUNOX GmbH is a strategic engineering partner for the development of complex measuring devices and a manufacturer of compact rapid test readers. DIALUNOX delivers the precise illumination and detection of fluorescence or reflective samples needed across a wide range of measurement parameters. The company’s approximately 70 employees develop, test, and manufacture measuring instruments at its headquarters in Stockach, Germany, near Lake Constance. For more information about DIALUNOX GmbH, visit dialunox.com.
