Bringing diagnostics up to speed to tackle antimicrobial resistance

Just over a decade ago, biotechnology researchers Alison Todd and Elisa Mokany had one simple goal: to develop diagnostic tests that trumped all others on the market. Their vision was to create a two-in-one test that could identify disease-causing pathogens while also pinpointing genetic markers for antibiotic resistance. The idea was to help clinicians prescribe the most effective drug for each individual patient, an approach known as personalised medicine. 

“We always had the goal to develop something that was really beneficial, cost effective, and easy to use,” says Mokany, who is chief technology officer at SpeeDx. “There is a clear medical need here that is not currently being serviced by anyone else.”