The lab, located in Keene State College's Putnam Science Center, will serve as a research and development space, with plans to run future clinical tests
KEENE, N.H. , Dec. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs(BEA) announced today that Detact Diagnostics, a Dutch-based life-sciences company that develops diagnostic tests for the health and food sector, opened its first U.S. operational laboratory in Keene, New Hampshire. Located in Keene State College's Putnam Science Center, the lab will serve as a diagnostics research and development space, with plans to roll out bacterial diagnostics clinical testing in the coming months once it receives federal certification.
"New Hampshire's robust life science sector continues to attract companies developing groundbreaking technology, treatments and detection solutions," said BEA Commissioner Taylor Caswell. "This expansion further enhances our economy by creating jobs, opportunities and resources for the growing biotech community in the Granite State, while also attracting new talent and companies. Successful programs and business opportunities like this one are possible because of our 'triangle' strategy – the collaboration among our academic institutions, employers, and state and local economic development agencies."
The patented Detact Diagnostics platform technology called VIPER® (Visualization by Infrared Peptide Reaction) involves the immediate release of a quenched Near Infrared (NIR) molecule from its peptide bond after contact with a specific bacteria/enzyme, which emits NIR-light (NIRL). The amount of light released determines the presence of bacteria or viruses. Due to its speed, precision and sensitivity, even with very diluted samples, the potential of this technology is superior compared to other testing products.
The company plans to hire Keene State College students for academic internship opportunities each semester and will roll out multiple hiring incentive programs in partnership with the institution.
The expansion is in conjunction with the Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship's BioNest program, which provides targeted biotech support along with their core programming for entrepreneurs and companies in the state's rural Monadnock Region.
"We couldn't have selected a better location for our U.S. headquarters," said Joost Gazendam, CEO of Detact Diagnostics. "From the support we received from Hannah Grimes to the region's growing life science community and access to a booming workforce, there are endless aspects that drew us to New Hampshire."
In the coming months, the laboratories at Keene State College will be certified by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA), which recognizes laboratories that are certified by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services which regulates labs researching human specimens to ensure that they provide accurate, reliable and timely tests. The facilities will allow for fast, affordable and precise treatment and will attract biotech companies to the state.
New Hampshire's life science industry is a leading driver of economic growth in the state. The life science and medical device sector includes over 600 companies, employs over 7,000 people and contributes nearly $6 billion to New Hampshire's gross domestic product (GDP).
About Detact Diagnostics
Detact Diagnostics is a life-science company based in the Netherlands, founded in 2014 by former trauma surgeon Joost Gazendam, MD, PhD. Seeking to develop diagnostics to detect the presence of post-surgical infection, Gazendam and team developed a novel and disruptive bacterial-detection platform/technique, VIPER®, that is both highly sensitive and specific to pathogens, and thus, uniquely suited to developing quick, affordable point-of-care tests. Detact is advancing its applications in healthcare and food safety. For more information, visit: https://www.detactdiagnostics.com.
About the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA)
The Department of Business and Economic Affairs is dedicated to enhancing the economic vitality of the state of New Hampshire while promoting it as a destination for domestic and international visitors. For more information, visit http://www.nheconomy.com or http://www.choosenh.com.
Media Contact
Sam Brancato, Violet PR, 8627543332, [email protected]
SOURCE Detact Diagnostics
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