From its office at the Marlborough Research Centre’s Grovetown Park, biotechnology company DNAiTECH is making strides in addressing global health inequalities through its groundbreaking innovation in diagnostic testing. Recently, DNAiTECH partnered with the Institut Pasteur de Dakar in Senegal to develop point-of-care diagnostic tests for diseases like measles and rubella.

Founder and CEO Dr Murray Broom highlights the urgency of the project: “There is huge inequality in access to testing across developing countries. The cost and time required for lab results can be prohibitive, especially in remote areas. We need new approaches to make molecular testing more available, and we’re working hard to bridge this gap.”

DNAiTECH’s innovative paper-based microfluidic chip is designed for fast, on-the-spot disease detection, particularly suited for resource-limited environments. The technology will be trialled in Senegal in early 2025, with the potential to diagnose up to 100,000 children for measles.

*The DNAiTECH diagnostic test is based on a microfluidic test - on an environmentally friendly paper-based chip. The microfluidic chip offers fully protected chemistry and a cost-effective approach.*

“Currently, our technology is at proof-of-concept stage. We’re excited to see it used in the field, where it can make a real impact,” says Murray. “Testing in Senegal will be challenging due to extreme heat and humidity, but success here could open doors to more partnerships, potentially with the Gates Foundation, Grand Challenges, or even the World Health Organisation.”

This project is supported by Grand Challenges Canada, part of a global effort to solve critical health issues in resource-limited regions.

Want to know more about how DNAiTECH is growing? Read about their recent $1 million investment from Sprout Agritech here.