Direct-from-specimen test for fast endocarditis pathogens
Official title: Direct-from-specimen identification of pathogens common in endocarditis
Funded at Helixbind, INC. · NIH-11247538 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A fast, automated blood test can identify bacteria or fungi causing endocarditis without culture, helping doctors choose the right treatment sooner.
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 | January 4, 2018 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $986,903 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AI136064-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11247538 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with suspected infective endocarditis or those needing rapid pathogen identification and therapy guidance.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with no suspected infection or those not requiring expedited diagnostic testing may not benefit.
What this research studies
If you or a loved one has suspected infective endocarditis, this project aims to provide a rapid, culture-free diagnostic test that can identify the exact pathogen and its resistance markers within about 3 hours from a blood sample. The test is designed to be used directly at hospital bedsides, integrating with existing care workflows to shorten diagnosis time and reduce hospital stays. By offering precise species-level results and antimicrobial resistance information, clinicians can tailor therapies quickly and minimize unnecessary antibiotic exposure. The work builds on the RaPID platform to enable broad pathogen detection in a patient-friendly, automated format.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with endocarditis could receive faster, more accurate diagnoses and targeted treatments, potentially reducing hospital stays and improving outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Similar automated, culture-free diagnostics have shown promise in other infections, but this test targets endocarditis pathogens with rapid turnaround.
Where this research is happening
-
Helixbind, INC.
Boxborough, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Singer, Alon — Helixbind, INC.
- Study coordinator: Singer, Alon
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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.