STMicroelectronics Works with Alifax on
Rapid, Cost-Efficient Point-of-Care Medical Testing
- Alifax, a diagnostic-test producer, has customized biological
content and reagents to detect pandemic-related genetic material
and other viral (and bacterial) pathogens
- ST Real-Time PCR molecular-diagnostics technology, using
disposable chip-based cartridges, can be adapted to detect any
genetic material
Geneva, Switzerland, and Padova, Italy,
October 29, 2020 – STMicroelectronics
(NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving
customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, and
Alifax S.r.l, a producer of clinical diagnostic instrumentation,
have worked together on a rapid, cost-efficient portable solution
that will be available from Alifax, for point-of-care molecular
diagnostic detection using highly reliable real-time Polymerase
Chain Reactions (PCR) to amplify genetic material (RNA and DNA1) in
patient samples.
Leveraging technology developed and licensed from ST, Alifax is
manufacturing the Molecular Mouse, a small portable instrument that
contains a broad range of ST components, including STM32 MCUs,
sensors, amplifiers, and other devices. Connected to a PC, the
Molecular Mouse uses medical reagents2 created by Alifax to manage
the control and testing of multiple targets or samples on a tiny
disposable cartridge, manufactured by ST using its high-volume
Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) semiconductor process
technology. Test results are available in less than hour.
“One crucial lesson from the current global pandemic is the
importance of rapid, cost-efficient point-of-care testing that
allows immediate remote diagnosis, and then, if necessary, patient
isolation,” said Alessandro Cremonesi, Chief Innovation Officer,
STMicroelectronics. “ST has been investing in its Real-Time PCR
platform convinced that innovative semiconductor-based diagnostic
solutions can positively impact our lives.“
“Leveraging our high-volume semiconductor-manufacturing
technology and long-term leadership in microfluidics, we’ve
developed a rapidly customizable, highly flexible cartridge and
instrumentation platform that delivers rapid and precise
point-of-care diagnostic results, which Alifax has used to respond
almost immediately to present pandemic and future diagnostic
needs,” added Benedetto Vigna, President Analog MEMS, and Sensors
Group, STMicroelectronics.
ST has demonstrated its efficacy and efficiency to scale
reliable, high-volume manufacturing of semiconductors and its
expertise in microfluidics for more than 25 years. Moreover,
roughly 10 years of proven success in developing MEMS-based
Real-Time PCR technologies has now culminated in a product
generation that Alifax has rapidly adapted to address the current
global pandemic.
“Building on our passion for research and excellence in
innovation, Alifax has established its strength in hematology and
bacteriology for diagnostic purposes. By working closely with ST
and combining its foundational microfluidic and other technology in
the Molecular Mouse and our pathogen-specific assays, starting from
a COVID-19 test, we’re ready to contribute to rapidly diagnosing,
isolating, and ultimately stopping the spread of pathogens,” said
Paolo Galiano, President Alifax.
Certified to CE-IVD3 the Molecular Mouse, disposable test
cartridges, and assays are available now from Alifax.
You can watch a video on Molecular Mouse at
https://www.alifax.com/products/nuova-category-page/show/molecular-mouse.
Further Technical InformationWith a footprint4
smaller than a smartphone, the Alifax Molecular Mouse can run
real-time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reactions (qPCR) on small5
disposable cartridges, manufactured by ST using its high-volume
semiconductor manufacturing process technology.
Each cartridge features 6 tiny reaction chambers (for the
COVID-19 test, Alifax is using 2 chambers per sample). Each chamber
supports precise heating and cooling of the reagents and samples to
amplify the target genetic material, if it is present.
At the same time, exploiting the customized reagents that
feature fluorescent tags developed by Alifax specifically to detect
COVID-19, the Molecular Mouse determines the presence of the target
genetic material in each chamber based on fluorescence intensity on
multiple wavelengths.
About STMicroelectronicsAt ST, we are 46,000
creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering the
semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing
facilities. An independent device manufacturer, we work with our
100,000 customers and thousands of partners to design and build
products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their challenges
and opportunities, and the need to support a more sustainable
world. Our technologies enable smarter mobility, more efficient
power and energy management, and the wide-scale deployment of the
Internet of Things and 5G technology. Further information can be
found at www.st.com.
About Alifax Alifax was founded in 1988 in
Padova by Paolo Galiano as a result of his valuable experience in
the laboratory diagnostic market with special reference to
hematology, microbiology, serology and autoimmunity fields. For
more information visit www.alifax.com
For Press Information Contact:
Michael Markowitz Director Technical Media Relations
STMicroelectronics Tel: +1 7 81 591 0354 Email:
michael.markowitz@st.com Alifax S.r.l. Email:
molecularmouse@alifax.com
1 Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) and Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) are the
two main types of genetic material on which all life depends. DNA
is the blueprint of life that provides the code for every cell’s
activities. RNA converts that code into the instructions for making
the proteins that support the structure, function, and regulation
of the body’s tissues and organs. Identifying and recognizing
specific RNA and DNA “codes” can detect specific pathogens.
2 Alifax had been developing 4-5 assay panels for Sepsis, and
one assay to detect Zika, Dengue, Chikungunya when the COVID-19
pandemic began. Reallocating resources, they’ve rapidly developed
COVID-19 assays. The Sepsis and Zika, Dengue, and Chikungunya
assays will follow soon.
3 In-Vitro Diagnostic Medical Device Directive (98/79/EC)
4 Weighing just 300g (~0.66 lbs.), the Molecular Mouse has a
14cm x 7cm footprint and is 8.5cm tall.
5 The 46.9mm x 21.9mm x 8.2mm cartridge is smaller than a
microscope slide.
- T4295D -- Oct 29 2020 -- ST Alifax LoC coop for PCR tests_FINAL
FOR PUBLICATION
- T4295D -- Oct 29 2020 -- ST Alifax LoC coop for PCR
tests_IMAGE
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