Brisbane startup Microbio develops pathogen test to identify and treat sepsis

Brisbane medtech scale-up Microbio has developed a game-changing pathogen test to help identify “a silent killer” that is notoriously difficult to predict, diagnose and treat, as the signs and symptoms can be subtle — sepsis. 

According to Sepsis Australia, sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to an infection damages its own tissues and organs. The illness takes the lives of more than 8,000 Australians each year. 

With the month of September marking Sepsis Awareness Month, Microbio founder, chief scientific officer and executive director Dr Flavia Huygens spoke with SmartCompany about the test that helps clinicians treat sepsis by identifying pathogens that cause sepsis, enabling targeted treatment.

The startup currently employs 19 staff and contractors and is actively recruiting people to execute Microbio’s upcoming clinical trials and commercialisation activities.

Microbio’s pathogen test has already gained clearance to sell the test in Europe, the UK and India, with the startup seeking clinical trial partners to deliver the diagnostic test worldwide.

Dr Huygens said InfectID-BSI tells clinicians which pathogen to treat in about three hours. 

“This is important because research has shown that for every hour that effective antimicrobial treatment is delayed, a person’s chance of dying increases by 7.6%. InfectID-BSI identifies 26 sepsis-causing pathogens approximately 13 hours faster than the average time the current method of identification takes,” Dr Huygens said. 

“The test is available for sale in Europe, UK, and India and we have a clearly defined roadmap for gaining regulatory approval in the US and Australia.

A global concern

“Sepsis affects about 50 million people globally every year; 11 million of these people will die. Of those that survive, up to 50% have lifelong physical and psychological impacts. 

“It’s an expensive, devastating, and complex disease so it’s vitally important that improvements in pathogen detection and antimicrobial treatment are implemented as quickly as possible. 

“Speed to diagnosis, and providing specificity are critical factors in reducing the devastating consequences of sepsis infections globally, in both developed and developing countries.

Dr Huygens added that Microbio will be seeking additional investment in the near term to support international clinical trials for Australian and USA regulatory clearance and to meet the new European regulatory requirements for In Vitro Diagnostic products. 

“In recent months, Microbio has developed a structure that assesses the viability, and suitability of clinical trials in pursuit of our IVDR, FDA, and TGA regulatory pathways,” she said.

Microbio was part of the Brisbane Economic Development Agency’s (BEDA) inaugural MedTech Accelerator, with its rapid test for sepsis-causing pathogens one of many innovations that are being supported to enter the global market through the program.

Dr Huygens said BEDA’s MedTech Accelerator gave Microbio valuable coaching to prepare the company for its next capital raise, and access to the large capital market and strategic investors in the USA through Microbio’s participation at RESI and its Pitching Competition.

“Following the RESI conference, Microbio has continued to refine its approach to the investor community. Microbio also continues to benefit from the relationships built with the current and past participants of the MedTech Accelerator, some of whom have become indispensable mentors and friends that appreciate how challenging it is to commercialise MedTech products,” she said. 

Accelerating growth

“The MedTech Accelerator gave Microbio’s participants the impetus to step outside company operations and focus on the company’s strategic drivers.

“Over the subsequent months, the company built upon this foundation to develop its regulatory pathway, clinical trials strategy, commercialisation strategy, and enhanced its supply chain and manufacturing capability ensuring it can scale in a sustainable manner.” 

Brisbane Economic Development Agency CEO Anthony Ryan said the MedTech Accelerator works with early-stage commercial ventures like Microbio to launch a global funding campaign with the investor materials and insights to successfully pitch their innovations to potential investors and strategic partners.

“By facilitating global connections, the accelerator gives companies the best opportunities to fast-track capital attraction and distribution partners,” he said.

“More than half of last year’s cohort have secured new partnerships, investment and clients, and the MedTech Initiative reported $61 million in economic activity in its first year through the success of the cohort of 10 Brisbane businesses.

“Brisbane has a highly skilled workforce, world-class health and research facilities and advanced manufacturing capability. If you’re a MedTech innovator, you couldn’t be in a better place, and we’re excited to help the city’s leading innovators reach their full potential.”

Ryan said Brisbane has a rich history in leading life-changing healthcare innovation, and its state-of-the-art health institutes and research facilities have pioneered a number of world firsts, including the cervical cancer vaccine Gardisil.

“Brisbane is home to some of the brightest minds in the world who are driving advances that are saving lives, improving patient outcomes and making healthcare faster and more convenient,” he said.

“We want to support the next generation to compete on a global scale, and our MedTech Accelerator is designed to fast track their connections with international partners for collaboration, investment, and distribution deals.

“The program is delivered in partnership with US-based investment facilitator Life Science Nation, and the cohort can get first-hand advice from our program mentors, some of the world’s biggest names in MedTech, including Stryker, Vaxxas and Microba.

“After creating a solid global funding campaign, the companies are ready to engage with international partners, with the program culminating at JP Morgan Health Week where participants pitch to active investors.”