A faster way to detect bloodstream infections directly from blood

An automated culture-free system for the identification of bloodstream infections direct from blood

NIH-funded research Helixbind, INC. · NIH-11134632

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 typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionHelixbind, INC. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boxborough, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11134632 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Patients who are suspected of having a bloodstream infection or sepsis could potentially benefit from this faster diagnostic tool.

Not a fit: Patients without suspected bloodstream infections would not directly benefit from this specific diagnostic development.

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 performed: 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

Boxborough, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.