Press Release
Sysmex Corporation (HQ: Kobe, Japan; President: Kaoru Asano) is pleased to announce that its subsidiary Sysmex Astrego AB (HQ: Uppsala, Sweden) has been awarded one of the UK's biggest science prizes, the “Longitude Prize on AMR,” for the development of the PA-100 AST System, a rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing system. The prize is designed to reward and support teams of innovators who have undertaken the challenge of transforming the conventional clinical workflows for infectious diseases, thereby making greatest contribution to tackling the global issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).1 Since the prize launched in November 2014, more than 250 teams from around the world have applied, with Sysmex Astrego AB standing out as the sole recipient.
November 18, 2022 story: “Tackling the Universal Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) with New Testing Technology - Sysmex Group Working Together in Efforts to Meet This Social Challenge -”
https://www.sysmex.co.jp/en/stories/221118.html |
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June 26, 2023 news release: “Sysmex Launches World’s First Point-of-Care Testing System in Europe to Detect Antimicrobial Susceptibility in Just 30 Minutes - By Revolutionizing Conventional Clinical Workflow, Our Diagnostic Technology Confronts the Global Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) -”
https://www.sysmex.co.jp/en/news/2023/230626.html |
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Challenge Works press release dated June 12, 2024: “From 3 days to 45 minutes: rapid test for UTI wins £8m Longitude Prize on AMR to transform fight against superbugs” https://amr.longitudeprize.org/press-release/rapid-test-uti-wins-8m-longitude-prize-on-amr |
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Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR):
AMR occurs when microorganisms develop mechanisms that protect themselves from the effects of drugs making the drugs less effective or completely ineffective. Bacteria that have acquired such resistance are referred to as drug-resistant bacteria. The proliferation of drug-resistant bacteria in the body reduces the effectiveness of antimicrobials making it difficult to treat infections that would otherwise be mild and easily resolved.
*Reference: November 4, 2021 story: “What Is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)?”
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Urinary tract infections (UTIs):
UTIs are caused by bacteria that proliferate in the urinary tract, spanning from the kidneys to the urinary outlet, resulting in inflammation. These infections can lead to cystitis in the bladder and pyelonephritis in the kidneys. They are among the most commonly encountered bacterial infections in daily clinical practice, with approximately 60% of women experiencing them at least once in their lifetime.
*Source: Foxman B, et al. Urinary Tract Infection: Self-Reported Incidence and Associated Costs. Ann Epidemiol. 2000;10(8):509-515. doi:10.1016/s1047-2797(00)00072-7.
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Nanofluidic technology:
Sysmex Astrego’s unique, proprietary technology involves creating microchannels at the micrometer or nanometer level, which allows individual bacteria from a fluid sample to be captured and cultured unidirectionally within these microchannels, enabling rapid detection of antimicrobial susceptibility.
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Sysmex Corporation, headquartered in Kobe, Japan, is a global leader in in vitro diagnostics. Since its foundation in 1968, Sysmex has focused on diagnostics as the core of its business, and today, it supports the health of people in over 190 countries and regions worldwide. Sysmex continues to innovate in diagnostics, and to collaboratively create unique values in the areas of personalized medicine and novel treatments, under its long-term vision of "Together for a better healthcare journey." Through its unique technology, solutions, and co-creation with various partners, Sysmex delivers new value and addresses the universal desire of people to live longer and healthier lives. The company employs more than 10,000 employees worldwide. Sysmex Corporation is listed in the Prime Market on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. For more information about Sysmex, please visit www.sysmex.co.jp/en/.