Partnering for Success: Accelerating Novel Molecular Diagnostics with Abingdon Health
Abingdon Health partnered with the STRAND Project team SPARK at Stanford to develop a proof-of-concept for a novel molecular diagnostic platform.
Abingdon Health’s technical expertise in lateral flow device design and component optimisation was crucial in proving the concept of the project’s innovative multivalent DNA binding technology, to deliver a functional, point-of-care pathogen detection tool. They delivered a range of services including lateral flow device design, particle selection and conjugation optimisation, and test format evaluation.
Challenges
The STRAND Project sought to leverage an innovative molecular method for pathogen detection but needed an experienced CDMO partner to adapt this novel technology to a highly sensitive and reliable rapid diagnostic test (RDT) format. The key challenges were:
- Device Compatibility: Designing a lateral flow device that could successfully integrate the complex, multivalent DNA binding mechanism.
- Sensitivity Optimisation: Selecting and optimising reporter particles (bead selection and conjugation) to achieve the required colorimetric detection limit.
- Speed to Proof-of-Concept: Delivering essential validation data rapidly to support crucial, time-sensitive external funding applications.
Solution
Abingdon Health applied its structured development process and technical proficiency to rapidly advance the STRAND concept:
- Device Design: Lateral flow device format optimisation to ensure efficient fluid migration and successful target capture.
- Particle Selection: Evaluation and selection of optimal reporter particles (beads) and development of a robust conjugation protocol.
- Method Development: Optimisation of the bead aggregation method critical to the STRAND platform’s unique detection mechanism.
- Integration: and evaluation of the final colorimetric detection system within the LFD.
The project spanned 2 months, with Abingdon completing key milestones including bead aggregation method development and colorimetric detection integration 2.5 weeks ahead of schedule, accelerating our development timeline.
Results & Impact
Abingdon Health's expertise helped generate critical proof-of-concept data demonstrating that STRAND's novel approach works on flow-based devices. This foundational work has enabled the project team to pursue additional funding opportunities, with Abingdon actively supporting grant applications for platform optimisation and clinical validation.
Through collaboration with Abingdon Health, not only did the STRAND Project achieve its immediate technical goals but it also established the strong evidence base needed to successfully pursue the next stages of development.
Why did you choose Abingdon Health?
“We had an excellent experience working with Abingdon on the STRAND Project. Their team was consistently well-prepared, presenting clear data and progress updates at every meeting. They were highly flexible with our project timeline and budget, responsive to all our requests, and went above and beyond by assisting us with additional funding applications. Most impressively, they exceeded our expectations and delivered ahead of schedule. We couldn't recommend Abingdon Health more highly as a CDMO partner.”
— George Walters, STRAND Project Leader and Graduate Student at Stanford University
