LabNow, Inc., seeks to improve global health and safety through the deployment of simple, rapid, point-of-need laboratory testing. The company, headquartered in Austin, Texas, has licensed novel, platform lab-on-a-chip sensor technology from The University of Texas at Austin (UT). The technology has the capability to automate complex fluid analysis quickly, accurately and at lower cost than current methods. The microfluidics sensor technology has broad uses in medical, homeland security, environmental chemistry and process engineering applications.

Technology Description

LabNow’s initial focus is on point-of-care testing markets for in vitro diagnostic applications. In collaboration between UT and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) a prototype test system was developed and evaluated for rapid analysis of key blood measurements in HIV/AIDS patients. This measurement, CD4 lymphocyte count, is a key indicator of disease progression and is used to determine whether drug treatment is initiated or modified. The prototype CD4 test has been shown to statistically correlate (r² = 0.96) with the current gold standard test conducted on state-of-the-art flow cytometry equipment.

The LabNow CD4 System has the ability to revolutionize the monitoring of treatment for HIV/AIDS patients. The test is conducted in a disposable microfluidics biochip in conjunction with a portable analyzer. The LabNow CD4 BioChip could be used in developed healthcare markets or in resource scarce countries. This system is being designed to have significant advantages over current measurement methods, including:

• Clinical decisions made at point-of-care
• Test performed with minimal training
• Expensive flow cytometry equipment not required
• Intensive sample preparation and acquisition eliminated
• Reagent use minimized, reducing costs significantly
• Need and cost associated with transport of infectious blood for testing eliminated
• Blood volumes minimal; tests performed on fingerstick samples, circumventing the need for venipuncture and minimizing medical waste