Blood Test Device Scoops Best in Show at MDEA 2014

Atomo Diagnostics’ multi-award winning AtomoRapid HIV was awarded Best in Show, and the winner of the In Vitro Diagnostics Category, at the 17^th Medical Design Excellence Awards (MDEA), held in New York.

The MDEA is the medtech industry’s premier design competition committed to searching worldwide for the highest caliber finished medical devices, products, systems, or packaging available on the market.

Atomo Diagnostics Founder & CEO John Kelly paid tribute to his daughter whose successful battle with a childhood illness was the inspiration behind developing a rapid POC or home-use blood test device.

The AtomoRapid blood testing platform can accommodate test strips for a wide variety of conditions from celiac disease, allergy through to infectious diseases such as malaria and HIV.

The device delivers better clinical outcomes for patients and health care providers by enabling simpler, safer and more accurate testing in the field or at home.

Atomo Diagnostics Founder & CEO John Kelly said: “Our company is delighted to get such global recognition for AtomoRapid, a ground-breaking and revolutionary rapid diagnostic testing platform. We would like to thank the MDEA judges for selecting us for both these prestigious awards, our team around the globe, and our design partner, IDE for its excellent work in helping to bring this technology to market.

“We can now officially say we are best in the world,” said the Australian AtomoRapid team as they celebrated the awards.

Given its ease of use and simplicity, AtomoRapid HIV has the ability to materially improve both the uptake and reliability of HIV testing in the community and at home and we are committed to getting the product launched in the US and Europe. AtomoRapid HIV is currently available for sale in several African countries from our South Africa office.

One of the 12 industry leader MDEA 214 judges George L. Walls, director of product and market development for ZOLL, said of AtomoRapid:

“The AtomoRapid HIV hits on all cylinders: a real problem creatively and disruptively addressed. Fast, low cost, accurate, and fundamentally changing the use and business model in this important space. It’s EPT for HIV. “

The awards program celebrates the achievements of the medical device manufacturers, their suppliers, and the many people behind the scenes—engineers, scientists, designers, and clinicians—who are responsible for the cutting-edge products that are saving lives; improving patient healthcare; and transforming medtech—one innovation at a time

“Clinical performance of standard test kits are proven in the lab, but serious concerns have been raised about in-field performance. This is down to their complex nature, requiring multiple components for the procedure offering resulting in errors, which in turn creates false diagnosis. For a disease such as HIV, this can have significant impact not only on the individual, but the community too,” said John Kelly.