13 Sep Astek and Key Tech Target Faster, More Accurate Urinary Tract Infection Diagnoses
(Baltimore, MD, September 13th, 2023) Baltimore-based firms Astek Diagnostics, Inc. (Astek) and Key Technologies, Inc. (Key Tech) will combine Astek’s bacterial detection and antibiotic sensitivity technology with Key Tech’s design expertise to develop the Jiddu™ benchtop analyzer and improve urinary tract infection (UTI) diagnosis through rapid, one-hour turnaround times with unprecedented 96% accuracy.
Standard practice for diagnosing UTIs and planning a course of treatment relies on rapid dipstick tests and clinical diagnostic analysis. However, low-specificity dipsticks can yield false positives that lead to the overuse of antibiotics. Moreover, the extended turnaround time and 80% accuracy of clinical tests often cause physicians to choose the wrong course of treatment. Globally there are over 400 million UTIs per year and the ability to accurately identify the causative bug and the right antibiotic in under an hour is a game changer for UTI diagnosis.
“Today’s UTI diagnostics methods take too long and can be inaccurate, resulting in misdiagnosis, the overuse of antibiotics, and higher treatment costs,” explained Astek Executive Chairman Ted Olsen. “Astek’s Jiddu™ benchtop analyzer will speed UTI diagnosis with greater accuracy, resulting in more effective patient outcomes.”
The Jiddu™ platform is an automated system comprising single-use sample cartridges, which isolates bacteria from urine, and a fluorescence analyzer that generates bacterial detection and an antibiotic susceptibility profile. The combination of results ensures optimal treatment in significantly less time.
“Jiddu™ relies on the successful integration of multiple technologies,” said Astek Co-Founder and CEO Mustafa Al-Adhami, PhD. “When we sought a partner to turn our prototype design into a manufactured product, we saw Key Tech’s impressive portfolio and knew we found the perfect fit.”
Key Tech has worked with many startups to commercialize new medical technologies, including the HemoSonics Quantra Hemostasis Analyzer, GenMark’s ePlex® System, and the UltraCrit point-of-care hematocrit meter.
“Key Tech is excited to work with Astek on this novel and important technology,” Key Tech Project Manager Ward Prescott said. “Contributing our in vitro diagnostics development experience to help bring Jiddu™ to market and dramatically improve the treatment of such a common condition is especially rewarding.”
Go to astekdx.com to learn about Astek Diagnostics and the Jiddu™ platform. Visit www.keytechinc.com for more information about Key Tech’s product design and development capabilities.
About Key Tech: MedTech companies hire Key Tech to solve their toughest challenges through creative problem-solving, multidisciplinary expertise, and a user-focused approach. Through engagements ranging from rapid innovation cycles to deep technology assessments, Key Tech troubleshoots hard problems and defines optimal system architectures. Then we develop ISO-13485 compliant products, evolving a series of prototypes until they are ready for manufacturing. Founded in 1998, Key Tech’s 75 design professionals include industrial designers and mechanical, electrical, and software engineers led by experienced managers who tackle projects demanding a systems-level approach to problem solving. Key Tech is 100% employee-owned and is based in Baltimore, MD.
About Astek Diagnostics: Astek Diagnostics is a leading innovator in diagnostic solutions, specializing in rapid antibiotic sensitivity testing. Our mission is to revolutionize the way bacterial infections are diagnosed and treated by providing healthcare professionals with cutting-edge diagnostic tools. The Jiddu™ benchtop analyzer, Astek’s flagship product, incorporates a novel method for antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) to swiftly detect bacterial infections in urine samples, assess infection severity, and deliver accurate AST results within an hour. For more information, visit Astek’s website here.
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