A faster way to detect bloodstream infections directly from blood
Official title: An automated culture-free system for the identification of bloodstream infections direct from blood
Funded at Helixbind, INC. · NIH-11134632 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is creating a new device to quickly find out if you have a bloodstream infection, which can lead to a serious condition called sepsis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Helixbind, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boxborough, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 8, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,027,841 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AI186712-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11134632 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients who are suspected of having a bloodstream infection or sepsis could potentially benefit from this faster diagnostic tool.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without suspected bloodstream infections would not directly benefit from this specific diagnostic development.
What this research studies
Bloodstream infections can be very dangerous, leading to a life-threatening condition called sepsis if not treated quickly. Currently, doctors rely on blood cultures, which can take days to show results and might not work well if you're already taking antibiotics. This new technology aims to identify these infections directly from a blood sample in just four hours, without needing a culture. It can detect many common bacteria and fungi, even if you've already started antibiotic treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this technology could help doctors identify bloodstream infections much faster, allowing for earlier and more targeted treatment, which could save lives and reduce hospital stays.
How similar studies have gone: This project describes a novel, fully automated test developed by HelixBind to address the limitations of current blood culture methods.
Where this research is happening
-
Helixbind, INC.
Boxborough, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Singer, Alon — Helixbind, INC.
- Study coordinator: Singer, Alon
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.