Latest news with #JaredBauer
Business Wire
5 days ago
- Health
- Business Wire
Seek Labs Unveils Investigational, Equipment-Free Molecular Prototype for MTB on Rapid-Deploy SeekIt™ Platform
SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Seek Labs, a biotech company boldly seeking a healthier world through AI-powered discovery, programmable therapeutics, and point-of-care diagnostics, today announced a significant advancement in the global fight against tuberculosis (TB) with an investigational prototype for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) detection on its SeekIt™ platform. In internal analytical testing, the MTB SeekIt test delivered accurate results in under 60 minutes. Importantly, this innovation addresses a key limitation that has historically hindered effective TB diagnostics: breaking apart MTB's waxy, lipid-rich cell wall to gain access to detectable genetic material. In internal testing, SeekIt's proprietary chemical lysis step achieved this in just 15 minutes without heat, mechanical disruption, or complex lab tools and skilled operators. Seek Labs achieved a functional investigational prototype in one quarter by leveraging its suite of in-house, pre-validated diagnostic technologies, focusing new innovation efforts on the MTB-specific lysis step. Share Seek Lab's MTB test demonstrates the speed, adaptability, and field-readiness of the modular SeekIt platform. All SeekIt's components—lysis chemistry, extraction, amplification, and detection—are proprietary to Seek Labs, exclusively discovered and developed in-house, and have been internally validated for performance and integration across multiple applications. The Global TB Testing Gap TB kills more than 1.25 million people each year, with nearly one in three cases going undiagnosed. In high-burden, resource-limited settings, centralized molecular tests face major hurdles: Pathogen complexity: MTB's waxy, lipid-rich cell wall has proven intractable to portable lysis methods for decades. Infrastructure dependence: Gold-standard molecular tests require expensive, power-intensive instruments, refrigeration, and highly skilled (or trained) operators. Sample limitations: Sputum collection is challenging for many patients and can deter testing. 'TB diagnostics have long been limited by gaps in both infrastructure and innovation that have often meant severe consequences for patient care and public health,' said Jared Bauer, CEO of Seek Labs. 'Our rapid, point-of-care SeekIt MTB test is designed to enable molecular-level detection in settings where access to equipment and electricity may be limited.' From Sample to Result: A Simplified Workflow At the core of the MTB SeekIt test is a proprietary, single-step chemical lysis buffer, involving a specially-formulated solution that disrupts MTB cells to release their genomic DNA. This breakthrough innovation takes just 15 minutes at room temperature, while competing methods (high-heat incubation or mechanical bead-beating) require longer times plus expensive equipment, specialized technicians, and complex infrastructure. More importantly, the integrated SeekIt test means the lysate itself flows seamlessly into SeekIt's downstream test components: Seek Extraction™ — A proprietary membrane-based binding system, developed and validated by Seek Labs, that rapidly captures MTB DNA without lab instruments. In validation testing, the MTB DNA yield for Seek Extraction was consistently more than 70% when compared to leading spin-column kits. Seek Amplification™ — A proprietary process that exponentially copies DNA at a constant temperature, detecting as few as 10 MTB genomic copies in 30 minutes without thermal cycling (internally validated), the conventional lab-based method. Molecular Lateral Flow Assay (mLFA) — A test strip that delivers clear, visual results in minutes indicating the presence of amplified DNA in a manner that can be optionally paired with the SeekIt mobile app for digital analysis and connectivity. Speed as a Strategy Conventional development of a molecular test for MTB can take a year or more. Seek Labs achieved a functional investigational prototype in one quarter by leveraging its suite of in-house, pre-validated diagnostic technologies, focusing new innovation efforts on the MTB-specific lysis step. This rapid-deployment approach illustrates how SeekIt can be rapidly developed for numerous high-priority diseases in record time. 'This was more than a fast project; it's proof of our platform's flexibility,' said Kim Wirthlin, Chief Strategy Officer. 'By focusing our innovation on the MTB-specific lysis step for compatibility with our downstream isothermal amplification, we solved one of TB diagnostics' toughest technical challenges and produced a functional investigational prototype in a single quarter.' From Conference to Collaboration Seek Labs will debut the MTB SeekIt prototype at the 2025 Next Generation Dx Conference (August 18–20, 2025, Washington, D.C.), including: Podium Presentation — Enabling Point of Care Diagnostics Track, Tuesday, August 19 at 10:00 AM ET. Scientific Poster — Detailing the proprietary lysis chemistry, rapid development process, and validation data. Seek Labs is actively seeking partners across global health (ministries of health, TB-focused NGOs, and diagnostics distributors in high-burden regions such as sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia) to advance the MTB SeekIt test through clinical validation, regulatory approval, and deployment. 'Innovation means nothing if it doesn't reach people,' said Bauer. 'We want to work with those who share our vision to advance development of accurate, accessible TB testing solutions wherever they're needed most.' About Seek Labs At Seek Labs, we don't wait for change—we build it. We're pursuing the breakthroughs the world can't wait for by developing programmable 'seek-and-destroy' therapeutics and point-of-care molecular diagnostics that close the gap between outbreak and intervention. At the core of this mission is a layered architecture: BioSeeker™ serves as the Intelligence Layer, continuously mapping conserved viral vulnerabilities in real time; these insights activate our Deployment Layers (PTAP™ for programmable therapeutics and SeekIt™ for molecular diagnostics), forming a full-stack development engine designed to accelerate response, innovation, and impact across global health. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Seek Labs is a proud member of BioHive, Utah's collaborative life sciences ecosystem. Together with our partners, we're building faster, smarter solutions for the world's most urgent health challenges. Forward-Looking Statements and Regulatory Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding development timelines, clinical validation, regulatory pathways, and potential collaborations. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties—including scientific, regulatory, manufacturing, clinical, and commercial risks—that could cause actual results to differ materially. The MTB SeekIt assay is an investigational device. Limited by Federal law to investigational use.
Business Wire
05-08-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
Seek Labs Maps High-Burden Mosquito-Borne Infectious Diseases with BioSeeker™, Accelerating Therapeutic Discovery for Chikungunya, West Nile Virus, and Zika
SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Seek Labs, a biotech company boldly seeking a healthier world through AI-powered discovery, programmable therapeutics, and point-of-care diagnostics, today announced the successful mapping of three of the world's most persistent mosquito-borne infectious diseases—Chikungunya, West Nile Virus, and Zika—using its proprietary BioSeeker™ discovery engine. These newly mapped targets represent a critical expansion of the company's Global Disease Atlas and a major step forward in enabling the development of programmable therapeutics with Seek Labs' PTAP™ platform to combat vector-borne disease threats worldwide. By unlocking targets for Chikungunya, West Nile Virus, and Zika, BioSeeker has compressed years of discovery into weeks, paving the way for programmable, pathogen-specific therapeutics that could be deployed when and where they're needed most. BioSeeker Powers Precision Genomics for Programmable Therapeutics BioSeeker™ is Seek Labs' molecular strategist. By scanning thousands of viral and pathogenic genomes, it identifies conserved, high-potential sequences essential to disease survival and replication. These 'genomic weak points' serve as blueprints for Seek Labs' Programmable Target Ablation Platform (PTAP™), which utilizes CRISPR systems to irreversibly disable pathogens with genomic precision. By unlocking targets for Chikungunya, West Nile Virus, and Zika, BioSeeker has compressed years of discovery into weeks, paving the way for programmable, pathogen-specific therapeutics that could be deployed when and where they're needed most. 'Mosquito-borne diseases are among the most complex and under-addressed in global health, spanning diverse pathogens, vectors, and regions with limited therapeutic tools,' said Jared Bauer, CEO of Seek Labs. 'BioSeeker gives us a global vantage point and a tactical advantage: we know where to strike, and we have the tools to do it.' Global Burden and Urgency Mosquito-borne viral diseases infect over 400 million people each year and remain some of the most overlooked threats in global and regional public health: Chikungunya, spread by Aedes mosquitoes, causes chronic joint pain and has resurged in explosive outbreaks across Asia and the Americas. Zika, also Aedes -borne, is linked to birth defects and neurological disorders, particularly devastating in pregnant individuals. West Nile Virus is spread primarily by Culex mosquitoes and, while many cases are asymptomatic, severe neuroinvasive disease can result in encephalitis, paralysis, and death, especially among older adults and immunocompromised individuals. Despite their scale, these diseases have no approved therapeutics in routine use. As vector ranges expand due to shifting climate conditions and urbanization, the window to respond grows narrower and the need for scalable, regionally adaptable solutions is greater. Additionally, recent reports of West Nile Virus in Utah have brought this growing threat even closer to Seek Labs' doorstep, underscoring the importance of local preparedness alongside global response. A Global Call to Partner in Programmable Therapeutics for Chikungunya, West Nile Virus, and Zika With pathogen mapping complete and PTAP guide designs ready for validation, Seek Labs is actively seeking development partners to advance these targets into the next generation of programmable infectious disease therapeutics. The company invites mission-aligned collaborators—including biopharma developers, government agencies, and global health organizations—to accelerate this next phase and help redefine what's possible in mosquito-borne disease control. About Seek Labs At Seek Labs, we don't wait for change—we build it. We're pursuing the breakthroughs the world can't wait for by developing programmable 'seek-and-destroy' therapeutics and point-of-care molecular diagnostics that close the gap between outbreak and intervention. At the core of this mission is a layered architecture: BioSeeker™ serves as the Intelligence Layer, continuously mapping conserved viral vulnerabilities in real time; these insights activate our Deployment Layers (PTAP™ for programmable therapeutics and SeekIt™ for molecular diagnostics), forming a full-stack development engine designed to accelerate response, innovation, and impact across global health. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Seek Labs is a proud member of BioHive, Utah's collaborative life sciences ecosystem. Together with our partners, we're building faster, smarter solutions for the world's most urgent health challenges. Forward-Looking Statements and Regulatory Disclaimer This press release includes forward-looking statements about Seek Labs' technologies, development plans, and partnership opportunities. These statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ. The technologies described are investigational and have not been reviewed or approved by the FDA or any other regulatory authority for clinical or commercial use.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Seek Labs Maps Measles Virus with BioSeeker™, Opening the Door to First-Ever Programmable Antiviral Therapeutic Amid Global Outbreaks
SALT LAKE CITY, June 23, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Seek Labs, a biotech company boldly seeking a healthier world through AI-powered discovery, programmable therapeutics, and point-of-care diagnostics, today announced the successful mapping of conserved therapeutic targets within the measles virus (MeV) genome using BioSeeker™, the company's proprietary AI-powered discovery engine. Amid rising measles outbreaks worldwide, this breakthrough marks a foundational step toward developing the world's first programmable antiviral therapeutic for measles, leveraging Seek Labs' CRISPR-based Programmable Target Ablation Platform (PTAP™). BioSeeker scanned thousands of publicly available measles virus isolates, identifying a multiplexed set of high-impact, PTAP-compatible genomic targets (stable, conserved regions most critical to viral replication). These sites form a blueprint for CRISPR-based "seek-and-destroy" therapeutics capable of irreversibly disabling the virus with speed, specificity, and resilience against resistance. "This is exactly why we built BioSeeker; to deliver smarter, faster weapons against viral diseases that still lack effective treatments," said Jared Bauer, CEO of Seek Labs. "There are no targeted therapeutics for measles once infection occurs. With BioSeeker, we can now design a precision treatment that shuts down the virus at its source, unlocking a powerful new paradigm for global health." A Game-Changing Response to the Measles Crisis Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world, spreading through airborne droplets and capable of causing severe complications, which include pneumonia, encephalitis, and death. Recent surges, such as the nearly 200,000 cases globally in early 2025, have placed renewed strain on public health systems and highlight the urgent need for scalable antiviral interventions. The urgency of this breakthrough is underscored by Utah's recent confirmation of its first measles case amid an ongoing national outbreak. As Seek Labs is headquartered in Salt Lake City, this development brings the crisis closer to home and emphasizes a critical need for accelerated antiviral solutions, especially in areas where vaccination rates remain low or immunity wanes. While Seek Labs is not advancing this candidate in-house, the company will make its complete BioSeeker-generated measles guide set available to qualified partners and is actively seeking collaborators to accelerate preclinical development. "We've done the foundational work and now we're inviting bold partners to help turn it into a breakthrough," said Kim Wirthlin, Chief Strategy Officer. "This is a first-of-its-kind opportunity to co-develop a targeted antiviral for measles and reshape how the world responds to this disease." Part of a Global Disease Atlas to Outpace Emerging Threats This milestone is part of Seek Labs' broader initiative to build a Global Disease Atlas, a real-time, AI-powered genomic map of the world's most dangerous pathogens. The Atlas is on track to map over 95% of high-burden viral threats across both human and animal health, guiding the development of pan-pathogen, programmable therapeutics and diagnostics designed to adapt faster than viral evolution. Powered by BioSeeker, the Atlas enables faster decision-making, smarter intervention points, and scalable innovation across public health, biodefense, and pandemic preparedness. Seek Labs is actively partnering with biopharma, government, and global health organizations to move these discoveries into the clinic. Organizations interested in licensing, partnerships, or deploying these innovations for public health impact are encouraged to contact Seek Labs directly. About Seek Labs At Seek Labs, we don't wait for change—we build it. We're seeking the breakthroughs the world can't wait for by developing programmable "seek and destroy" therapeutics and point-of-care molecular diagnostics that close the gap between outbreak and intervention. Powered by our AI discovery engine, BioSeeker™, these platforms form a full-stack development engine—from target discovery to real-world deployment—designed to accelerate innovation and impact across global health. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Seek Labs is a proud member of BioHive, Utah's collaborative life sciences ecosystem. Together with our partners, we're building faster, smarter solutions for the world's most urgent health challenges. Forward-Looking Statements and Regulatory Disclaimer This press release includes forward-looking statements about Seek Labs' technologies, development plans, and partnership opportunities. These statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ. The technologies described are investigational and have not been reviewed or approved by the FDA or any other regulatory authority for clinical or commercial use. View source version on Contacts Bridget Baldwin, Director of Communications, communications@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Wire
23-06-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
Seek Labs Maps Measles Virus with BioSeeker™, Opening the Door to First-Ever Programmable Antiviral Therapeutic Amid Global Outbreaks
SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Seek Labs, a biotech company boldly seeking a healthier world through AI-powered discovery, programmable therapeutics, and point-of-care diagnostics, today announced the successful mapping of conserved therapeutic targets within the measles virus (MeV) genome using BioSeeker™, the company's proprietary AI-powered discovery engine. Amid rising measles outbreaks worldwide, this breakthrough marks a foundational step toward developing the world's first programmable antiviral therapeutic for measles, leveraging Seek Labs' CRISPR-based Programmable Target Ablation Platform (PTAP™). Amid rising measles outbreaks worldwide, this breakthrough marks a foundational step toward developing the world's first programmable antiviral therapeutic for measles, leveraging Seek Labs' CRISPR-based Programmable Target Ablation Platform (PTAP™). BioSeeker scanned thousands of publicly available measles virus isolates, identifying a multiplexed set of high-impact, PTAP-compatible genomic targets (stable, conserved regions most critical to viral replication). These sites form a blueprint for CRISPR-based 'seek-and-destroy' therapeutics capable of irreversibly disabling the virus with speed, specificity, and resilience against resistance. 'This is exactly why we built BioSeeker; to deliver smarter, faster weapons against viral diseases that still lack effective treatments,' said Jared Bauer, CEO of Seek Labs. 'There are no targeted therapeutics for measles once infection occurs. With BioSeeker, we can now design a precision treatment that shuts down the virus at its source, unlocking a powerful new paradigm for global health.' A Game-Changing Response to the Measles Crisis Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world, spreading through airborne droplets and capable of causing severe complications, which include pneumonia, encephalitis, and death. Recent surges, such as the nearly 200,000 cases globally in early 2025, have placed renewed strain on public health systems and highlight the urgent need for scalable antiviral interventions. The urgency of this breakthrough is underscored by Utah's recent confirmation of its first measles case amid an ongoing national outbreak. As Seek Labs is headquartered in Salt Lake City, this development brings the crisis closer to home and emphasizes a critical need for accelerated antiviral solutions, especially in areas where vaccination rates remain low or immunity wanes. While Seek Labs is not advancing this candidate in-house, the company will make its complete BioSeeker-generated measles guide set available to qualified partners and is actively seeking collaborators to accelerate preclinical development. 'We've done the foundational work and now we're inviting bold partners to help turn it into a breakthrough,' said Kim Wirthlin, Chief Strategy Officer. 'This is a first-of-its-kind opportunity to co-develop a targeted antiviral for measles and reshape how the world responds to this disease.' Part of a Global Disease Atlas to Outpace Emerging Threats This milestone is part of Seek Labs' broader initiative to build a Global Disease Atlas, a real-time, AI-powered genomic map of the world's most dangerous pathogens. The Atlas is on track to map over 95% of high-burden viral threats across both human and animal health, guiding the development of pan-pathogen, programmable therapeutics and diagnostics designed to adapt faster than viral evolution. Powered by BioSeeker, the Atlas enables faster decision-making, smarter intervention points, and scalable innovation across public health, biodefense, and pandemic preparedness. Seek Labs is actively partnering with biopharma, government, and global health organizations to move these discoveries into the clinic. Organizations interested in licensing, partnerships, or deploying these innovations for public health impact are encouraged to contact Seek Labs directly. About Seek Labs At Seek Labs, we don't wait for change—we build it. We're seeking the breakthroughs the world can't wait for by developing programmable 'seek and destroy' therapeutics and point-of-care molecular diagnostics that close the gap between outbreak and intervention. Powered by our AI discovery engine, BioSeeker™, these platforms form a full-stack development engine—from target discovery to real-world deployment—designed to accelerate innovation and impact across global health. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Seek Labs is a proud member of BioHive, Utah's collaborative life sciences ecosystem. Together with our partners, we're building faster, smarter solutions for the world's most urgent health challenges. Forward-Looking Statements and Regulatory Disclaimer This press release includes forward-looking statements about Seek Labs' technologies, development plans, and partnership opportunities. These statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ. The technologies described are investigational and have not been reviewed or approved by the FDA or any other regulatory authority for clinical or commercial use.
