NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – PositiveID today announced an agreement with the US Special Operations Command Research, Development, and Acquisition Center to further develop military applications for the company's real-time PCR pathogen detection system, Firefly Dx.
Firefly Dx is a handheld system that can deliver molecular diagnostic results at the point of need using Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies' TaqMan PCR chemistry. It can derive results from a sample in less than 20 minutes, as opposed to two to four hours for a laboratory-based device, the company said in a statement.
Under the agreement, PositiveID will receive requirements, priorities, feedback, and human factors/human systems integration support from USSOCOM as it develops Firefly Dx for applications in Special Operations Forces missions. Financial and other terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Earlier this year, the Delray Beach, Fla.-based firm signed an agreement with NASA to test Firefly Dx for use in space. The firm eventually plans to move into clinical testing.
PositiveID is focused on developing microfluidic systems for the automated detection and analysis of biological threats and other samples.