Rapid Dx Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

r-PASA - a rapid and automated diagnostic test for UTI and AMR

CURRENT IMPACT

Geographical Focus
  • Pan India
Potential Impact
  • Manufacture

    1000

    r-PASA testing kits
  • Test

    120

    samples to complete phase 1 of clinical validation
  • Test

    600

    samples to complete phase 2 of clinical validation

Samridh support

SAMRIDH is providing financial support to Rapid Dx Technologies through a milestone-based grant to accelerate the scaling of test kit production, software integration, and clinical validation. This assistance will enable the development of 1000 r-PASA testing kits, including its mechanical, electronic, and consumable components, as well as software integrations. Additionally, SAMRIDH will support a two-phase clinical validation process for r-PASA, commencing phase 1 at CCAMP and culminating in phase 2 at St. John’s Hospital, Bangalore. It will also support Rapidx in filing two patents, preparing ISO 13485 certification documents, and ensuring device compliance readiness. Through SAMRIDH’s support, the project enhances affordability and increases the availability of advanced diagnostics for UTI and AMR in marginalized populations.

~300,000

Deaths in India are due to antibiotic-resistant infections [1]

10m

  People are estimated to die annually by 2050, due to antimicrobial resistance [2]

4-6

Days are required for diagnostic tests to identify the infection cause and antibiotic resistance. [3]

24m

People could be forced into extreme poverty by 2030 due to AMR, which may also annually reduce the global GDP by $3.4 trillion. [4]

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is an alarming global health crisis, with the World Health Organization predicting it could become the leading cause of death by 2050, surpassing cancer and heart disease. A key contributor to this crisis is the challenge of timely and accurate diagnosis, particularly for common infections like Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), which affect millions worldwide each year, especially women. Delayed diagnosis of UTIs not only causes prolonged discomfort and increased risk of complications but also results in the overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics, which exacerbates AMR. Without rapid, precise diagnostics, healthcare providers often resort to empirical treatments, fueling resistance and allowing resistant pathogens to spread. Urgent action is needed to develop diagnostics that can identify pathogens and their antibiotic susceptibility in real-time, providing targeted treatments to combat both UTI-related complications and the global AMR pandemic.

[1] 2023b. “The Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance.” Nature 624 (7991): S30–32. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-023-03912-8 .

[2]De Kraker, Marlieke E. A., Andrew J. Stewardson, and Stephan Harbarth. 2016. “Will 10 Million People Die a Year Due to Antimicrobial Resistance by 2050?” PLoS Medicine 13 (11): e1002184. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002184 .

[3] IACG Members. 2019. “NO TIME TO WAIT: SECURING THE FUTURE FROM DRUG-RESISTANT INFECTIONS.” REPORT TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS. https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/documents/no-time-to-wait-securing-the-future-from-drug-resistant-infections-en.pdf.

[4] UNEP – UN Environment Programme. n.d. “ Antimicrobial resistance: a global threat.” UNEP – UN Environment Programme.

Rapiddx Technologies has developed the r-PASA (Rapid Personalized Antibiotic Susceptibility Assay), an automated, accurate test for detecting antibiotic susceptibility in urinary tract infections (UTIs) and ESKAPE pathogens. Utilizing advanced diagnostic technology, r-PASA delivers results from urine samples within 5-6 hours, providing essential information on antibiotic effectiveness. This rapid testing helps doctors make timely treatment decisions, addressing both UTI infections and resistant bacteria. Validated against Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute standards, r-PASA ensures reliability with its automated, multiplexed analysis. By improving diagnostic speed and accuracy, r-PASA is set to enhance healthcare in tier II and III cities, reduce antibiotic overuse, and improve health outcomes for underserved populations in India.