Internal Sample Preparation, Small Size and Rapid Results
Differentiate the FireflyDX Systems, says Lyle Probst During
BioWatch Panel
Probsts comments were delivered yesterday afternoon during a
two-day BioWatch Workshop on Strategies for Effective Biological
Detection Systems held in Washington, D.C. at the National
Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. During his
presentation, Probst also shared specific scientific data about
pathogen detection results delivered by ExcitePCRs FireflyDX
technologies
Delray Beach, FL -- September 19, 2017 -- InvestorsHub NewsWire
-- One of the biggest barriers to delivering rapid diagnosis and
care during a biological outbreak is about to be eliminated, said
Lyle L. Probst, President, CEO and Founder of PositiveID
Corporations (OTCQB:
PSID) ExcitePCR subsidiary.
When asked what makes ExcitePCRs FireflyDX technologies
different than other pathogen detection solutions, Probst said,
Sample preparation takes place inside our FireflyDX systems, which
means our customers can go from sample capture to answer in 30
minutes or less. On top of that, the FireflyDX devices are small,
portable PCR-based units which can be used virtually anywhere
around the world. These are just some of the things that set our
pathogen detection systems apart from other solutions.
Later Probst explained, The reason why this is important is
because whenever we experience the beginnings of an outbreak, such
as Zika, Ebola, influenza or any other biohazard, rapid
identification of who is or isnt infected is crucial to delivering
proper treatment and minimizing the spread of an infectious
disease. But one of the biggest barriers to delivering rapid care
is (and always has been) preparing samples so they can be tested,
quickly and accurately. And this is especially a problem in the
field at the Point-of-Care/Point-of-Need. This is the issue we
address with our new FireflyDX technologies.
Probst delivered a brief presentation and answered questions
yesterday as a member of a BioWatch panel discussion, officially titled Novel
Technologies to Expand Capabilities, about current and future
advancements in pathogen detection systems, hosted by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and
Medicine (NAS).
Panel participants shared several insights on recent
advancements in the pathogen detection field that had recently come
to market or were on the near horizon. Case in point, Probst
pointed to ExcitePCRs FireflyDX technology platform, which utilizes
a patented microfluidic-based cartridge that incorporates on-board
sample preparation as part of ExcitePCRs polymerase chain
reaction-based pathogen detection systems.
We've already shown in-lab comparability to the ABI 7500 with
our FireflyDX for pathogens ranging from MRSA to swine flu, as well
as when detecting other bio-threats like anthrax or when looking
for the presence of genetically modified foods (GMOs), Probst said.
The difference we believe the FireflyDX products will deliver is
the ability to incorporate sample prep within the entire PCR
process. This allows caregivers, first responders, animal health
workers and others to have extremely accurate results within 30
minutes or less from the moment of sample capture to PCR-derived
results. {NOTE: Thermo Fisher Scientifics ABI 7500 is viewed by
most industry professionals as the gold standard for benchtop-based
PCR testing.}
For example, Probst explained, ExcitePCRs FireflyDX technologies
have been evaluated and/or tested for pathogen detection by a
number of client organizations and partners, including
- As a Performer with ENSCO and the U.S. Department of Homeland
Securitys Science and Technology SenseNet Program, with the
FireflyDX selected as the designated SenseNet confirmation
detector, a program that just completed Phase II A;
GenArraytion which demonstrated that the breadboard
prototype of the FireflyDX accurately and rapidly detected the Zika
virus using GenArraytions PCR assay for Zika;
A Pilot Study with seqID that utilized the FireflyDX to accurately
test for the presence of GMO corn and soybean at concentrations
ranging from 10.0 to 0.0 percent, a pilot study that generated
comparable results to those produced by the ABI 7500, test results
shared via Invited Presentations to the
- Analytic Excellence through Industry Collaboration (AEIC)
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA); and by an
Independent third-party laboratory that conducted a comprehensive
on-site review and evaluation of the FireflyDXs technologies,
capabilities and accuracy, which concluded that ExcitePCRs pathogen
detection system performed comparably to the ABI 7500.
Last month ExcitePCR announced a FireflyDX family of portable
pathogen detection systems, led by its FireflyDX-Portable, a
rechargeable, bookbag-sized, realtime pathogen detection system the
company expects will be commercially available in summer 2018. In
addition, ExcitePCR also announced that it plans commercial
availability in 2019 for a smaller pathogen detection device that
can be held in a single hand, a system the company has named the
FireflyDX-Handheld.
About PositiveID Corporation
PositiveID Corporation is a holding company focused on life
sciences, diagnostics, mobile laboratories, and medical devices.
PositiveIDs ExcitePCR subsidiary is developing the FireflyDX
family of pathogen detection systems, portable devices offering
rapid sample-to-result detection in less than 30 minutes using
real-time polymerase chain reaction chemistry. PositiveIDs E-N-G Mobile
Systems subsidiary is a leader in the mobile technology vehicle
market, with a focus on the laboratory market and homeland
security. PositiveIDs Thermomedics subsidiary markets the
FDA-cleared Caregiver non-contact thermometer for clinical use. For
more information on PositiveID, please visit http://www.psidcorp.com, or connect with PositiveID on
Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.
On August 24, 2017, PositiveID Corporation and its wholly-owned
subsidiary PositiveID Diagnostics, Inc. (collectively, the Seller),
entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) with ExcitePCR
Corporation. Pursuant to the APA, at closing, the Seller will sell
and deliver to ExcitePCR all assets used in connection with the
operation of the FireflyDX technology. For more information on the
APA, please read PositiveIDs Form 8-K filed on August 28, 2017,
which can be found here.
Statements about PositiveID's future expectations, including the
likelihood that one of the biggest barriers to delivering rapid
diagnosis and care during a biological outbreak is about to be
eliminated; the likelihood that ExcitePCRs customers can go from
sample capture to answer in 30 minutes or less; the likelihood that
the FireflyDX devices are small, portable PCR-based units which can
be used virtually anywhere around the world; the likelihood that
difference the FireflyDX products will deliver is the ability to
incorporate sample prep within the entire PCR process; the
likelihood that this allows caregivers, first responders, animal
health workers and others to have extremely accurate results within
30 minutes or less from the moment of sample capture to PCR-derived
results; the likelihood that the FireflyDX-Portable will be
commercially available in the summer of 2018; the likelihood that
the FireflyDX-Handheld will be commercially available in 2019; the
likelihood that pursuant to the APA, at closing, the Seller will
sell and deliver to ExcitePCR all assets used in connection with
the operation of the FireflyDX technology; constitute
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of
the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve risks
and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, and
PositiveID's actual results could differ materially from expected
results. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation,
ExcitePCRs ability to complete a financing of at least $3 million;
PositiveIDs and ExcitePCRs ability to close the asset purchase
agreement among PositiveID, PositiveID Diagnostics, and ExcitePCR;
PositiveIDs ability to attract new customers and partners;
PositiveIDs ability to raise capital; ExcitePCRs ability to
complete the development and commercialization of the
FireflyDX-Portable and FireflyDX-Handheld; as well as other risks.
Additional information about these and other factors that could
affect the Company's business is set forth in the Company's various
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including
those set forth in the Company's 10-K filed on March 31, 2017, and
10-Qs filed on August 14, 2017, May 15, 2017, and November 18,
2016, under the caption "Risk Factors." The Company undertakes no
obligation to update or release any revisions to these
forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after
the date of this statement or to reflect the occurrence of
unanticipated events, except as required by law.
Contacts:
PositiveID Corporation
Allison Tomek
(561) 805-8044
atomek@psidcorp.com