QUT Professor Flavia Huygens is combining microbiology research with business acumen to develop a new tool for rapidly diagnosing sepsis.
Sepsis is a serious body-wide response to bacteria in the bloodstream or an infection. It is the leading cause of death from infection worldwide, accounting for about 5000 fatalities in Australia each year. It takes up to two days for a test to confirm a suspected case of sepsis.
Professor Huygens has established Microbio, a biotechnology start-up company that uses bioinformatics, genomics and molecular microbiology for pathogen detection with a specific, sensitive and fast test.
She uses skills developed as part of the Bridge Program, equipping researchers and entrepreneurs with skills to navigate the scientific, legal, financial, clinical and regulatory challenges involved in the commercialisation of pharmaceuticals.
“The program certainly makes you aware of the challenges involved in taking a product to market,” Professor Huygens said.
“My research focus has been on developing diagnostic tests for blood-borne infections and infectious diseases and this is the area where there is a need for timely diagnosis. For hundreds of years we’ve been doing the same tests over and over.
“It is a major challenge to diagnose these life-threatening infections as soon as possible because we are in a constant battle with the bugs – they are always a step ahead of us. Time is critical.
“So if we can apply our understanding of what’s happening and get in early with a diagnosis, then the best available treatments can be implemented so that the best outcomes can be achieved.”
Taking part in the Bridge Program was a “reality check”, Professor Huygens said, but also a confidence booster.
“It was fantastic to meet and to hear from people who have started their own companies and succeeded, who may have had significant failures on the way, but have endured,” she said.
“And it was such a practical program, through contact with the program’s industry partners, intensive workshops and learning how to pitch an idea to a top pharmaceutical company.
“It’s definitely not just about being a clever scientist with a discovery and saying ‘pick me’.”
Find out more
Visit our website to learn more about the Bridge Program, or email the team at bridge.program@qut.edu.au.