Takara Bio USA, Inc. and BioExcel Diagnostics partner for development of wide-coverage infectious disease detection panels

San Jose, CA—October 17, 2022—Takara Bio USA, Inc., a pioneering life science reagent and instrument company and wholly owned subsidiary of Takara Bio Inc., is partnering with BioExcel Diagnostics to develop and validate a new high-throughput and comprehensive method for detecting syndromic-based infectious diseases. The method employs real-time PCR automation technology and reagents from Takara Bio to detect viruses, bacteria, fungi, and antimicrobial resistance genes specific to the contributing pathogen. Data generated allows clinicians to quickly determine the best route of treatment for their patients. 

BioExcel Diagnostics has developed and validated infectious disease panels to detect a unique combination of targets for common diseases. These infections include urinary tract infections, respiratory tract pathogens, sexually transmitted diseases, wound care, nail fungus, antibiotic resistance, and women’s health (coming soon). Together with Takara Bio USA, BioExcel Diagnostics has adapted these panels for use on Takara Bio’s SmartChip Real-Time PCR System. Integration of the infectious disease panels with this multiplexed nanoscale qPCR technology will enable BioExcel Diagnostics to offer results from high-accuracy, advanced laboratory tests within 24–48 hours.

The automated method uses the SmartChip real-time PCR instrument, chips, and reagents to run 5,184 reactions per chip in less than 30 minutes of direct hands-on time. Each nanoliter-scale reaction reduces variability by eliminating the preamplification step and reduces costs because of decreased reagent volumes. The trusted SmartChip Real-Time PCR System is already widely used for the detection of antibiotic and antimicrobial resistance around the world and is ideally suited to address the challenges of infectious disease research.

“High-throughput qPCR is a powerful tool for data analysis related to a wide range of human health issues, including pathogen detection, clinical biomarkers, and antibiotic resistance. We are pleased to see how the flexibility and scale of the SmartChip system is supporting the development of large panels for multiple types of infectious diseases—ultimately enabling advancements in these areas of global concern,” President & CEO of Takara Bio USA Carol Lou said.

Houston-based BioExcel Diagnostics is a full-service CLIA- and CAP-accredited high-complexity laboratory specializing in molecular diagnostics and clinical genomics. BioExcel Diagnostics aims to develop and validate affordable yet highly accurate and clinically relevant testing solutions to mitigate inefficiencies in molecular diagnostic testing. “We have found Takara Bio’s SmartChip technology to be a great choice for molecular testing of infectious diseases,” President and Lab Director at BioExcel Diagnostics Mehdi Dehghani, PhD, says. Learn more about the partnership in an interview with Dr. Dehghani.

BioExcel Diagnostics has launched advanced infectious disease testing services using these adapted panels and the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System. Takara Bio USA will support the establishment of their research-use-only products to be used in combination with the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System for pathogen detection in research settings and to support clinician-led research in the development of clinical assays.