The possibility of a public health crisis due to antibiotic resistance is becoming more real particulary when such an occurence would involve severe infections: Example: sepsis - where patient can succomb quickly and before resistance can be determined. Day Zero Diagnostics - DZD - is developing rapid, whole genome sequencing-based diagnostics designed rapidly (within hours) to provide the species ID and antibiotic resistance profile of a bacterial infection within hours enduring patients can quickly be treated with the most effective antibiotic - not only saving lives but reducing the costs associated with extended episodes of care where early treatments do not work. The firm is also working on helping to control HAIs (healthcare-associated infections), where antibiotic resistant organisms can be especially dangerous. To enable rapid turnaround, the firm's epiXact service uses whole genome sequencing and their proprietary Keynome algorithm which uspports their being able quickly to provide infection control professionals with precise information on pathogen relatedness supporting those persons being able to make the right intervention decisions.
