By Samantha Denefrio, PhD
What is it?
Biotia uses the newest technology in DNA-sequencing to quickly and accurately identify pathogens lurking in hospitals on high-risk units and patients to protect susceptible patients. They take a sample from a patient or a suspected area, perform DNA-sequencing, analyze data up against all known microbes using AI, then provide a report with identifying information on the sample (Biotia). The goal is to prevent patients from getting sick by stopping the spread of pathogens and ensuring proper sanitation of infected hospital surfaces.
Why is it innovative?
Hospitals can be a dangerous place. According to Biotia, 1 in 25 people pick up a serious infection while in the hospital and 1 in 9 of those people will die from that infection (Biotia). One of the founders, Dr. Niamh O’Hara said in a recent interview for Cornell, “ What we’re providing for hospitals is surveillance of what’s going on in their environment, so that we can say, In this room, on this surface, we found Staphyloccus aureus, and it looks like it’s antibiotic-resistant, so that hospitals can then do targeted intervention – go in and clean that surface specifically and appropriately.” (Cornell)
The Market
Biotia is a startup created at Cornell Tech which provides initial funding as well as mentorship and guidance through every step of product creation and marketing. Biotia is a collaboration of a team of doctors with extensive expertise in microbe identification and software development.
Mission
“To eradicate hospital acquired infections and deploy the leading database of microbes and antimicrobial resistance for global pathogen identification.” (Biotia)
Advantages
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Biotia’s software has great potential for creating safer hospital stays.
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It is founded by a team of qualified experts that value scientific data and clinical efficacy.
Disadvantages
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The cost for Biotia’s services to hospitals is unknown.
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Expected time frame from sample to report was not available on the website.
Funding
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Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute Runway Startup Postdoc Program
Facts Sheet and Details (Crunchbase)
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Date Founded: 2016
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Status: Privately Held
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Phone: 845-405-6461
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Address: 42 West St #3/19, Brooklyn, NY 11222
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Website: https://www.biotia.io/
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/BiotiaNYC
News Stories on Biotia
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Biotia Aims to Cut Hospital-Acquired Infections by Monitoring Microbiome of Hospital Environment
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Collaborative startup will monitor pathogens in hospital settings
- DNA Tests Could Help Docs Detect Infectious Diseases Faster
- Five Cornell Tech Companies to Watch (September 2018)
