DRIVE PARTNERS WITH JANUS-I SCIENCE TO DEVELOP NEW DIAGNOSTIC ASSAY THAT CAN IDENTIFY UNKNOWN VIRAL PATHOGENS IN PATIENT CLINICAL SPECIMENS

Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and its Division of Research, Innovation, and Ventures (DRIVe) is partnering with Janus-I Science, Inc., of Vista, California, to develop a diagnostic assay that is capable of identifying unknown infectious disease pathogens in patient specimens. This transformative technology has the potential to provide test results within an hour, enabling clinicians to know exactly what disease pathogens have infected their patients and how their bodies are responding to the infection.

Janus-I Science will develop a sample-to-answer workflow that uses nanopore sequencing to accurately identify unknown pathogens in patient specimens, and importantly, would be available for use right where patients need it for fast answers. Integrating the steps involved will simplify the workflow of sequencing-based diagnostics and provide faster, actionable results.

The project leverages Janus-I Science’s end-to-end sample preparation techniques with nanopore sequencing and computational data analytics. Janus-I Science will integrate and automate the entire process, which includes analysis and interpretation of sequencing data to provide clear, actionable results for use in a healthcare setting where the information is needed. For this project, Janus-I Science is partnering with Oxford Nanopore Technologies in the UK and the Naval Health Research Center in San Diego to build the assay workflow and demonstrate its accuracy using real-world specimens.

BARDA DRIVe supports the development of innovative products and approaches, like Janus-I Science’s diagnostic assay that aim to solve major health security challenges through innovative products and approaches. DRIVe is a division of BARDA and is part of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

This Powered by DRIVe project is part of DRIVe’s portfolio for radically transformative health security technologies. DRIVe is seeking bold and disruptive innovative solutions that have the ability to transform health security. Relevant projects in this portfolio may create entirely new technologies, or leverage existing technologies in a way that represent a dramatic improvement to existing approaches.

DRIVe and Janus-I Science, Inc. are committed to a public-private partnership, with DRIVe contributing $710,619 of the total $1,015,179 estimated project cost. Janus-I Science will fund the remaining development costs.

DRIVe was established in June 2018 to transform health security innovation to protect Americans from 21st century health security threats. DRIVe’s business-friendly EZ-BAA application process streamlines the way government partners with industry.

COMPANY DESCRIPTION (PROVIDED BY JANUS-I SCIENCE INC.)

Janus-I Science Inc. combines new analytical technologies with advances in biology and algorithmic learning to create high value assays for healthcare, biosecurity, intelligence and other national security needs. Janus-I Science’s processes are designed to be implemented on multiple automation platforms, including high throughput laboratory, near patient or field-forward systems. Leveraging over 100 years of combined experience in the biotechnology, diagnostics and drug discovery industries, the scientific leadership team have developed advanced technologies for multiple government agencies and global health organizations. Janus-I Science is committed to delivering enabling new technologies to support the missions of our government partners and will commercialize them in collaboration with industry-leading therapeutic, diagnostic and research product companies.