On the Radar…

Accelr8 Technology Corporation (NYSE Amex: AXK) revealed additional results for its rapid bacteria identification system. Specifically, the tests proved accurate in identifying organisms that produce the new “KPC” antibiotic-destroying enzyme. KPC is an especially problematic form of resistance because it renders a large family of powerful antibiotics, including carbapenems, ineffective – leaving a last resort antibiotic as the only option. The data on KPC come from a collaboration with researchers at Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine (Barnes-Jewish Hospital). The company also revealed results from a study at Denver Health Medical Center showing prototypes of it BACcel system for rapid identification proved accurate in indentifying two additional types of multi-drug resistant bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. The BACcel system provides results on bacterial resistance in 2 to 3 hours as opposed to more than two day for traditional testing methods which can enable physicians to select an effective antibiotic course for the specific infection sooner. For a more in depth look at the technology and science behind Denver-based Accelr8 and the BACcel system, RockyRadar interviewed President David Howson and profiled the company in March.