Infectious diseases are a major global challenge. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how even mild pathogens can disrupt society, while antimicrobial resistance continues to rise at an alarming rate. Sepsis, a life-threatening response to infection, is responsible for 1 in 5 deaths worldwide, and this number is growing. These challenges underscore the urgent need for faster and more effective ways to detect and manage infections.
Current diagnostic methods are too slow, often taking 3 to 5 days to deliver results. This delay prevents timely treatment and increases the spread of infections. Faster, more accurate diagnostics could save lives and reduce healthcare costs.
The innovative ORCHIDD technology offers a solution to detect bacteria and viruses quickly and precisely, providing results in minutes instead of days.
This project focuses on advancing the ORCHIDD technology by improving its accuracy and scalability, testing it with real-world clinical samples, and refining the business case to target the most urgent infections. By the end of the project, a strong foundation will be in place to attract investment and move toward commercializing this groundbreaking diagnostic solution.
