Purdue unveils SMK Diagnostics

Purdue University yesterday announced SMK Diagnostics, a spinout that will commercialise a sensor to detect mosquito-borne tropical diseases more quickly and cheaply that current alternatives.

Founded in May 2017, SMK Diagnostics has developed biosensor technology that can detect the presence of Zika, which led to an epidemic in 2015 and 2016 and can cause birth defects if a pregnant woman is infected, and dengue fever, which causes approximately 22,000 deaths annually around the world, according to the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

The sensor produces results in less than one hour, compared to alternative methods that can require more than a week.

Both Zika and dengue belong to the same family of virus, known as flavivirus that also includes West Nile virus, yellow fever virus, Japanese encephalitis and tick-borne encephalitic viruses.

SMK is based on research by Stanciu, Ernesto Marinero, professor or materials engineering and electrical and computer engineering, and Richard Kuhn, the Trent and Judith Anderson distinguished professor of Science.

Lia Stanciu, associate head and professor of materials engineering, is also a co-founder of SMK Diagnostics.

Kuhn previously co-led a research team with Michael Rossmann, the Hanley distinguished professor of biological sciences, to successfully determine the structure of the Zika virus in 2016.

The spinout is seeking an undisclosed amount of funding to build a prototype and advance technology development. It was founded with the help of the university’s tech transfer arm, Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization, and Purdue Foundry.

Stanciu said: “The sensor provides early detection so you can intervene earlier. If local agencies know there is a danger, they can intervene early to try to make sure it doesn’t get transmitted to people.

“Only the virus will bind to the surface, no other molecules. It is a recognition, like a key and lock.”