The CDx Xpress System combines proprietary liquid crystal technology with highly specific antibody-coated paramagnetic microspheres to selectively capture and detect Ebola virus faster than other commercial systems.
CDx sells rapid pathogen systems in the Food Safety market to quickly and accurately detect food borne pathogens in a variety of products including meat and produce. The company's systems are in use in commercial test labs, government agencies, universities, and research facilities, as well as food processors. The Ebola detection project is the first application outside of the food safety arena for CDx.
According to Robert F Garry, PhD, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the Tulane University School of Medicine, and Principal Investigator of the Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Consortium (VHFC), "The CDx system promises advantages over other rapid Ebola detection systems, in terms of automated reader results, speed, and consistency."
President and CEO of Crystal Diagnostics, Jim Bruce, stated that, "We are delighted with the initial results, and following field trials and US Food and Drug Administration device approval, we look forward to contributing to the fight against this deadly disease."
CDx has applied for grants from the Paul Allen Foundation and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) division in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to complete equipment automation and development of the Ebola test.