TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ChipCare Corporation, a Toronto-based start-up company creating a point-of-care platform that will bring lifesaving diagnostics to millions without access, has expanded its team. With the addition of key assay development scientists and project management expertise, ChipCare has expanded the capacity of its existing team to commercialize its polyvalent diagnostic platform.
Collectively, the scientific team has over 50 years of experience developing highly multiplexed, real-time, bead-based or microfluidic assays and devices with applications in human genetics and infectious disease. With deep experience garnered from positions at Luminex, Biofire, Thermo Fisher and Roche, ChipCare’s team members have participated in the successful commercialization of several diagnostic assays/devices as well as the subsequent acquisitions by multinational biotechnology companies.
Kelly Hunter, PhD joins ChipCare as a senior assay development scientist. Previously she held a seven-year position at BioFire Diagnostics, where she developed real-time PCR-based assays, prior to its acquisition by bioMérieux, the multinational biotechnology company. Dr. Hunter has 20 years of experience in molecular science and holds a PhD in microbiology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Ryan Hayman, PhD also joins the team as a senior assay development scientist. He has a strong background in multiplexed bead-based biosensors and optical detection systems. Dr. Hayman was previously Assistant Director of R&D at Xagenic, a private, venture capital-funded diagnostics company developing a platform for point-of-care molecular diagnostics. He earned a PhD in chemistry from Tufts University.
Lorenzo Gutierrez, PhD joined the ChipCare team last November as Director of Hardware Engineering, and brings with him a wide array of international experience in device prototyping and commercialization. Dr. Gutierrez has worked in the product development field for over 20 years, with experience in research and development on digital microfluidic methods for diagnostic purposes. He holds a PhD in bio-process engineering from the University of Tokyo.
Aaron Jordan joined ChipCare as Director of Project Management. Jordan has over 10 years of platform development experience in the diagnostics industry from marketing and product development through to manufacturing scale-up. He has led global projects in organizations such as Thermo Fisher Scientific and Roche Diagnostics.
ChipCare develops accessible diagnostics for inaccessible populations. Its Polyvalent Analyzer (PAx) is one of the first true point-of-care diagnostic devices. The platform consists of a portable, highly mobile, easy-to-use analyzer and low cost disposable microfluidic cartridges that provide lab-quality diagnostic results in as little as 20 minutes at the point-of-care. Unlike existing devices, the PAx analyzer will be able to perform three classes of diagnostic tests (cell-based, immuno- and molecular) and weighs less than two kilograms.
“These strong additions to our team will play a significant role in ChipCare’s ability to commercialize the PAx platform and menu of whole-cell, immuno- and molecular assays,” explained James Fraser, ChipCare CEO.
About ChipCare
Leveraging technology developed at the University of Toronto, ChipCare is a point-of-care diagnostics company that will bring lifesaving diagnostics to the hardest-to-reach populations. The ChipCare PAx is a portable, easy-to-use multiplex reader that provides lab-quality results in as little as 20 minutes employing low-cost microfluidic disposable cartridges.