Services > Technology Evaluation
Technology Evaluation
Purpose
DCN supports the application of appropriate technology to enhance the performance of lateral flow and flow through point of need assay systems. Our premise is that these assays are among the few formats of rapid assay that can serve the need of multiple markets in generating rapid results, at the point of need, in a short timeframe while operated by minimally trained or untrained users. That said, traditionally manufactured lateral flow and flow through assays suffer from performance challenges, notably in sensitivity and reproducibility, that make application in some more demanding, quantitative applications, difficult.
In order to improve performance in these assay formats, improvements are required in areas including:
- Sample handling and analyte extraction
- Assay materials
- Reagent development and reproducibility
- Manufacturing process development
- Reader design and result interpretation
- Data capture and databasing
DCN is focused on evaluating technologies that can improve the performance of these assay systems, and which can be brought to market in a 1-5 year timeframe, and assisting the technology providers in bringing those technologies to an appropriate audience.
Our Service
DCN evaluates and validates the use of many novel technologies, materials, reagent concepts and platform designs for companies wishing to bring their product to the point of need market. Companies that have utilized our services in this regard include:
- Material suppliers
- Reagent suppliers
- Manufacturing equipment suppliers
- Reader developers and manufacturers
- Sample handling component suppliers
- New platform developers
- Investors
As a technology or component supplier, we will work with you to establish the proof statements you need to take to the market to demonstrate the utility of you product. We will develop and perform the studies to generate the data you need, and perform comparative studies with existing technologies if required. If the technology or product passes our validation, and demonstrates utility, we can thereafter assist you in putting that technology in front of the market, through our numerous points of access to technologists, assay developers and corporate decision makers. These include our Education and Training Courses, workshops, trade shows, publications, and development programs. Companies whose products can be integrated into our product offering may join our Affiliates Network and DCN can directly bring opportunities to apply your technologies through our custom development programs. Thereafter, through services such as our Education and Training Courses, we can educate your sales force and technical personnel in the point of need assay market and assist you in getting your technology widely disseminated and penetrated.