PathogenDx receives industry-first AOAC certification to detect bacterial and fungal species in a single well test for cannabis matrices

PathogenDx, a U.S.-based biotechnology company specializing in molecular-based testing through widespread adoption of its advanced microarray testing platform, announced that its next-generation cannabis and hemp testing technology, Detectx–Combined, received an AOAC^® Performance Tested Methods SM Certificate to detect Aspergillus species, Salmonella spp. and E.coli STEC in a single-well test for cannabis matrices.

This is the Company’s second cannabis testing technology to receive an AOAC^® PTM Performance Tested Methods SM Certificate to help ensure the quality and safety standards of cannabis – the first being Quantx Fungal One-Step, which was the world’s first quantitative molecular test for total yeast and mold in cannabis.

Detectx-Combined is a breakthrough molecular-based testing technology that delivers the ability to test for bacterial and fungal species in a single well – reducing lab processing, consumables and time, lowering lab costs by up to 65% and providing comprehensive, accurate results in a single shift. Also, the latest scientific breakthrough from PathogenDx enables labs to increase capacity and throughput, does not require advanced bioinformatics, and can be performed with standard equipment labs would already have on hand. With Detectx–Combined, labs can:

• Test all bacterial and fungal pathogens in one process
• Dramatically reduce assay steps and labor hours
• Increase throughput
• Reduce the chance of manual error
• Gain dual results in 6.5 hours
• Save 65% in lab costs

“With Pathogen’s game-changing Detectx Dual Hyb assay in 2020, we introduced a combined Loci PCR step that streamlines workflow for labs and returns significant cost savings,” said Milan Patel, co-founder and CEO of PathogenDx. “Detectx-Combined takes the efficiencies one step further, introducing a one-step Loci and Labeling PCR process for bacterial and fungal testing. The two leaps come together to produce a dramatically streamlined process that benefits testing labs.”

Patel continued, “More importantly, Detectx-Combined helps protect the health of consumers and patients with its accuracy, speed and ability to reduce the chance of manual errors. As access to legal cannabis continues to increase and as we move towards federal legalization, we will continue working to develop advanced technologies that raise the bar for precision and dependability to better the entire cannabis ecosystem.”

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