Scope Fluidics
Combing the Academic Impetus with Innovation

Having spent nine years to bring the idea of an instantaneous, precise, informative molecular test to a product, Scope Fluidicsreceived CE-IVD certification and is going to launch the first truly multiplexed and ultra-fast point-of-care molecular diagnostics system, PCR|ONE. “It took the concerted effort of our team, including chemists, physicists, mathematicians, engineers, and physicians,” says Prof. Piotr Garstecki, the CEO of Scope Fluidics.

Scope Fluidics was created by Prof. Garstecki & cofounders by leveraging his experience from research at Harvard to foster microfluidic innovation. Today, the company’s advisory board consists of top minds and scientists—among others Vince Linder, founder of Claros, David Weitz and Wilhelm Huck, top scientists in microfluidics, and Carl Wittwer, the guru of rapid molecular diagnostics.

Scope Fluidics focuses on making fast, informative diagnostics to tackle infections and antibiotic resistance. “Accessibility is a big thing for us—the assays must be fast and cost-effective to produce. We are happy to already see recognition. Both of our systems have been selected in the Disruptive Technology Competition at AACC and this coming year is huge for us, as we are entering the market with PCR|ONE and BacterOMIC system that gives actionable information on antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial pathogen,” mentions Prof. Garstecki.

With the capability to offer molecular diagnosis within 15 minutes, PCR|ONE is unique in combining speed with high information value—by offering a super high degree of multiplexing for such a quick and completely automated sample-in-answer-out system. Informative tests are needed to take correct epidemiologic and therapeutic decisions. Point-of-care format and speed are needed to give access to this knowledge anywhere. There are huge unmet market needs for such accessible diagnostic information.

Think of healthcare-associated infections – they can be avoided at a reasonable cost, provided we can detect the infections. Research suggests that all hospitalized patients are susceptible to contracting a nosocomial infection. Some patients are at greater risk than others-young children, the elderly, and persons with compromised immune systems are more likely to suffer. Other risk factors are long hospital stays, the use of indwelling catheters, failure of healthcare workers to wash their hands, and overuse of antibiotics. In American hospitals alone, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that HAIs (Healthcare acquired infections) account for an estimated 1.7 million infections and 99,000 associated deaths each year. The situation has been complicated with the advent of Covid. The PCR|ONE system can be used in hospital admission wards for systematic and immediate screening of patients. “The exciting thing is that PCR|ONE is unique in offering both the full information bundle and the speed and ease of use. Yole Development has researched the whole market, and Scope Fluidics is likely to be the first to explore this most attractive combination of functionalities,” adds Prof. Garstecki.

Further, Scope Fluidics has just received the European Union Certificate for the MRSA / MSSA panel. It is an important stage in the development of PCR|ONE; the next milestone will be the certification of the SARS-COV-2 panel, which they expect in Q2 2021. PCR|ONE and BacterOMIC systems are unique, and Scope Fluidics is proud of them and believes they are changing Medical Diagnostics to help people live healthier and longer lives. “Our ideas and ambitions are not limited to the PCR|ONE and BacterOMIC projects. In the coming years, we will be introducing new solutions and new projects that the market is waiting for. Thanks to the gained experience, we will be able to implement them even faster and more effectively,” concludes Prof. Garstecki.