Cepheid Unveils Portable Diagnostic System

Cepheid is planning a late-2016 launch of a lightweight clinical molecular diagnostic system intended for locations that provide point-of-care testing, such as a doctor’s office or clinic. 

The wireless, web-enabled system, known as GeneXpert Omni, weighs 2 pounds and offers a user interface that can run on a portable tablet or smartphone.

In a prepared statement, the Sunnyvale, Calif.-based company says it intends to make faster tests in conjunction with the release of the Omni that will deliver results in as little as 15 minutes, versus the current average run time of about an hour. It expects the flu/respiratory syncytial virus test to be the first offering for GeneXpert Omni.

Cepheid offers tests for healthcare-associated infections, sexual health, critical infectious disease and oncology in the U.S. and internationally. — Elizabeth Hollis