About Astrego diagnostics ab
Astrego Diagnostics AB: Revolutionizing Antibiotic Stewardship with Rapid Diagnostic Tools
Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health concern that threatens to render many of our most effective antibiotics useless. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics have led to the emergence of superbugs that are resistant to multiple drugs, making it increasingly difficult for healthcare providers to treat infections. In this context, Astrego Diagnostics AB is a company that stands out for its innovative approach to antibiotic stewardship.
Astrego Diagnostics AB is a Swedish biotech company founded in 2016 by a team of experienced scientists and entrepreneurs. The company's mission is to develop rapid diagnostic tools based on phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) that can help healthcare providers make informed decisions about antibiotic treatment in real-time.
The traditional method of AST involves culturing bacteria from patient samples and exposing them to different antibiotics in the laboratory. This process can take up to several days, during which time patients may receive broad-spectrum antibiotics that may not be effective against their specific infection. Moreover, delays in obtaining accurate AST results can lead to inappropriate use of antibiotics, which contributes significantly to the development and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Astrego Diagnostics has developed an innovative technology called "Phenotyping by Magnetic Ranking" (PMR), which enables rapid AST within hours instead of days. PMR uses magnetic nanoparticles coated with different antibiotics that bind selectively with bacterial cells depending on their susceptibility profile. By measuring the magnetic properties of bacterial cells after exposure to PMR particles, Astrego's diagnostic tools can determine the optimal antibiotic treatment for each patient quickly.
The advantages of Astrego's PMR technology are numerous: it provides accurate results within hours instead of days; it requires minimal sample preparation; it works with various types of bacteria; it reduces unnecessary use or overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics; and it helps preserve the effectiveness of existing antibiotics while promoting more targeted and personalized treatment.
Astrego Diagnostics AB has already received several awards and recognitions for its innovative technology, including the prestigious European Health Catapult Award in 2018. The company has also secured funding from various sources, including the European Union's Horizon 2020 program, to further develop and commercialize its diagnostic tools.
Astrego's diagnostic tools have broad applications in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and laboratories. They can help healthcare providers make informed decisions about antibiotic treatment for patients with bacterial infections such as sepsis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and bloodstream infections. By providing rapid and accurate AST results that guide antibiotic therapy choices, Astrego's diagnostic tools can improve patient outcomes while reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance.
In conclusion, Astrego Diagnostics AB is a company that is revolutionizing antibiotic stewardship by developing rapid diagnostic tools based on phenotypic AST. Its PMR technology offers a faster and more accurate alternative to traditional AST methods that can help combat the growing threat of antibiotic resistance worldwide. With its innovative approach to personalized medicine and commitment to improving patient outcomes while preserving existing antibiotics' effectiveness, Astrego Diagnostics AB is poised to become a leader in the field of infectious disease diagnostics.