Project title: Rapid Point of Care detection of Bacterial Sepsis Project outline: This project aims to deliver a hand held prototype device for the diagnosis of sepsis within 3 minutes sampling. The assay detects changes before classical sepsis diagnosis and this has been shown in children and adults in settings that include the emergency room, post-surgery, oncology and intensive care settings. It will be coupled with a new bespoke hand held device to deliver a test result from a 'pin-prick' of blood, allowing bed-side use from sample to result. The result will be either qualitative for diagnosis (Yes/No) or quantitative for repeated use in subsequent therapy monitoring. The product that will be developed will be the only true point-of-care device for the diagnosis and prognosis of bacterial sepsis on the market.

The company is developing a point of care device for diagnosing early signs of bacterial sepsis for use at the patient bedside in intensive care and emergency care services. This biochemical assay is now being adapted to a novel format in order to assist the clinician to decide whether a patient has sepsis or not and to frequently monitor therapeutic intervention. The components will consist of a basic reader platform together with slides onto which blood samples can be placed. The algorithm to translate a readout into meaningful data is already worked out by the company, but the output needs now to be obtained directly from a disposable slide strip using only a minute amount of blood. It will be practical, cost effective and will save lives.