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BugSeq Secures Contract with BARDA to Advance AI-Powered Metagenomic Diagnostics

NextEdge Admin

13 Jul 2024

2 min 23 sec

BugSeq, a pioneering biotech company, has partnered with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to develop an AI-powered reporting tool for clinical metagenomics data. This collaboration aims to advance pathogen-agnostic diagnostics using metagenomic sequencing (mNGS), addressing the limitations of targeted tests that can delay outbreak diagnoses.

Currently, there are no FDA-approved mNGS-based diagnostic assays, and bioinformatics challenges hinder broader adoption. BugSeq plans to leverage machine learning to analyze mNGS data, generating actionable pathogen reports while ensuring regulatory compliance. This initiative emphasizes real-world deployment to establish reliable performance metrics.

By improving mNGS data interpretation, BugSeq seeks to enable faster and more accurate diagnoses, facilitating the integration of mNGS technology into routine hospital practices. This advancement is critical for public health readiness, particularly concerning emerging pathogens with pandemic potential.

BugSeq recently secured a one-year contract valued at $747,500 from BARDA's Division of Research, Innovation, and Ventures (DRIVe). The funding will support collaborative efforts to develop and assess these AI tools, focusing on effective performance in real-world settings.

This project represents BugSeq's second award from BARDA; the first, received in May 2022, aimed at developing a next-generation sequencing test for all respiratory RNA viruses. Furthermore, BugSeq has partnered with Oxford Nanopore Technologies to create automated solutions for rapid pathogen identification and antimicrobial resistance characterization.

This collaboration underscores BugSeq's commitment to revolutionizing infectious disease diagnostics and enhancing patient care, ultimately paving the way for the widespread use of mNGS in clinical settings.