An Edmonton Region medical technology company, GLC Medical Inc., recently announced the completion of their newly developed technology, the GLCM Biosensor Test Platform. The test requires a quick oral examination with a biosensor that can diagnose a variety of health conditions beyond the COVID-19 virus. Tuberculosis, RSV, HIV, Malaria, Zika, and Ebola are some potential viruses GLCM’s technology could screen. The device may even be able to screen for specific cancer indicators.
The new form of testing yields results in less time and is significantly less invasive than existing testing methods, which involve nasal swabs. The test uses electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), a method typically applied in research settings to investigate material properties and electrode reactions. The test is done by holding a biosensor inside the mouth for roughly 30 seconds. The sample is then mixed with a solution and placed on a sensor that houses a microchip. The sensor reads the sample and uploads the results to a computer in under a minute. In contrast, standard PCR tests can only be run in a lab and can have a turnaround time of several days, increasing transmission risk. Scientists have been researching the EIS method for decades, so this latest development is not just being celebrated by GLCM but by the entire medical diagnostics community. “Through decades of research, this has not been achieved with reproducible, repeatable results,” said Donna Mandau, GLC Medical Inc founder, president, and CEO in an interview with CTV.
Mandau explained how this advancement holds a wealth of potential to mitigate future viral outbreaks on a global scale. “The GLCM Biosensor represents a significant milestone in virus detection for a global population learning to live with easily transmissible viruses. What started as a project to develop a test for COVID-19 has led to a world-leading breakthrough in diagnostic technology,” she said.
“I am extremely proud of our world-class team. While there have been decades of R&D and EIS, this unrivaled achievement by our team was accomplished in a relatively short time frame through dedication, perseverance, and expertise,” stated Mandau. “With ongoing testing around the world for COVID-19, existing rapid tests can take as long as 30 minutes or more to deliver results that are not as reliable as the GLCM Biosensor. Conventional RT-PCR tests are costly, require invasive sample collection procedures and an in-lab environment to process results, resulting in long turnaround times. The GLCM Biosensor offers the best of both worlds: a non-invasive collection method; and precise, reliable results in under one minute,” she added.
“It’s now time to bring this to the market and to the world,” says Dr. Ushula Tefashe, a scientist working on the project. GLCM’s next steps involve collaborating with a partner to bring the test to the larger-scale market and have it produced as a mainstream solution. GLC Medical welcomes all inquiries relating to collaboration and partnership in advancing their breakthrough diagnostic technology.
Congratulations to the GLCM team on this achievement. For many more such updates on transformative technology shaping the Edmonton Region and the world beyond it, visit our website regularly at edmontonglobal.ca
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