Life Science Diagnostics and Research Tools Finalists:
This category encompasses the heart and soul of San Diego’s innovation economy. As an internationally known destination for Life Science research and companies this category always brings out the best that San Diego has to offer, which is really the best the world has to offer. Finalists for the Most Innovative New Product in the category of Life Science Diagnostics & Research Tools are:
DermTech – Non-Invasive Inflammatory Skin Condition Assay
DermTech’s non-invasive gene expression platform works with samples collected using DermTech’s Adhesive Skin Biopsy Kit. The test and kit create a completely non-surgical, highly accurate platform to facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of psoraisis and other inflammatory skin conditions.
CONNECT: What’s your biggest achievement to date?
We have launched our first product and have built a top notch sales team. Our sales volume is growing rapidly. We have a state of the art CLIA laboratory, licensed in 49 states and also CAP accredited. In addition, we have a robust contract research business with four big pharma collaborators that is generating consistent revenue and that may lead to companion diagnostic products.
CONNECT: What’s the biggest obstacle or challenge you’ve overcome?
Delivering a product to the market is a major feat for any biotech company and it is rarely achieved.
CONNECT: What does being a finalist in the Most Innovative New Product Awards mean to you?
A big step toward establishing DermTech as an elite innovator of our region.
Echo Laboratories, Inc. – Revolve
Revolve is the world’s first Hybrid Microscope that transforms between Upright and Inverted configurations. This eliminates the need to purchase two systems, greatly reducing instrument costs. Eyepieces are replaced with an iPad to view and capture images. Users can control Revolve remotely, send data wirelessly, or upload images to the cloud.
CONNECT: What’s your biggest achievement to date?
Our product launch. We quickly sold out of our first two production runs into some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical and research institutions.
CONNECT: What’s the biggest obstacle or challenge you’ve overcome?
We almost ran out of capital shortly after placing a big order for inventory.
CONNECT: What does being a finalist in the Most Innovative New Product Awards mean to you?
This means a great deal to us – It’s a validation of our hard work.
Nanocellect Biomedical – WOLF Cell Sorter
NanoCellect’s WOLF Cell Sorter is the new benchmark for access and performance, making cell sorting and analysis possible in every lab. Bench-top analyzer and sorter offers high-performance, multi-parameter detection for optimal cell sorting.
CONNECT: What’s your biggest achievement to date?
Our biggest achievement has been to make WOLF microfluidic cell sorting available to researchers. This allows gentle and sterile sorting on the benchtop while limiting biohazard exposures.
CONNECT: What’s the biggest obstacle or challenge you’ve overcome?
The biggest obstacle has been to make the WOLF Cell Sorter workflow the same or easier than conventional sorting. All while keeping the price and size of instrument less than the existing devices.
CONNECT: What does being a finalist in the Most Innovative New Product Awards mean to you?
We’ve had our heads down focusing on producing a device allows more researchers to perform experiments in stem cell and cancer biology. To get recognition for the design and performance of our machine is a great honor.
For more information on the 2016 Most Innovative New Product Awards click here.