First Light Diagnostics
First Light Diagnostics is dedicated to providing rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective diagnostic solutions for life-threatening hospital infections. Leveraging its proprietary MultiPath technology, the company aims to dramatically accelerate pathogen detection and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, enabling clinicians to make faster, more informed treatment decisions. Its mission is to save lives, lower healthcare costs, and combat antibiotic resistance by delivering results in hours instead of days.
Industries
Nr. of Employees
small (1-50)
First Light Diagnostics
2 Omni Way, Chelmsford, MA 01824, USA
Patents
Products
Fully automated benchtop sample-to-answer analyzer
A random-access benchtop instrument that automates sample loading, assay execution, barcode reading, results reporting, and disposal for cartridge-based tests; designed for on-demand, multi-sample workflows.
Rapid Clostridioides difficile toxin detection test (FDA-cleared)
An ultra-sensitive toxin B detection assay for stool specimens that reports rapid results and is intended to improve specificity for active infection compared to molecular detection of organism presence.
Rapid Bacillus anthracis toxin detection test (FDA-cleared)
A rapid, sensitive assay for detection of Bacillus anthracis toxin (lethal factor) in blood samples intended for early diagnosis of inhalation anthrax; reported FDA clearance to market in the U.S.
Direct-from-urine pathogen identification and phenotypic AST (peer-reviewed demonstration)
Published peer-reviewed demonstration of direct-from-urine pathogen identification (reported ~45 minutes) and phenotypic AST (reported <5 hours) without colony isolation.
Fully automated benchtop sample-to-answer analyzer
A random-access benchtop instrument that automates sample loading, assay execution, barcode reading, results reporting, and disposal for cartridge-based tests; designed for on-demand, multi-sample workflows.
Rapid Clostridioides difficile toxin detection test (FDA-cleared)
An ultra-sensitive toxin B detection assay for stool specimens that reports rapid results and is intended to improve specificity for active infection compared to molecular detection of organism presence.
Rapid Bacillus anthracis toxin detection test (FDA-cleared)
A rapid, sensitive assay for detection of Bacillus anthracis toxin (lethal factor) in blood samples intended for early diagnosis of inhalation anthrax; reported FDA clearance to market in the U.S.
Direct-from-urine pathogen identification and phenotypic AST (peer-reviewed demonstration)
Published peer-reviewed demonstration of direct-from-urine pathogen identification (reported ~45 minutes) and phenotypic AST (reported <5 hours) without colony isolation.
Services
Conducting technical studies, posters, and peer-reviewed publications demonstrating assay performance for direct-from-specimen ID and phenotypic AST.
Conducting technical studies, posters, and peer-reviewed publications demonstrating assay performance for direct-from-specimen ID and phenotypic AST.
Expertise Areas
- Rapid diagnostic assay development
- Phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing
- Ultra-sensitive toxin and biomarker detection
- Sample-to-answer automation and random-access benchtop systems
Key Technologies
- Non-magnified digital imaging
- Single-molecule counting via digital imaging
- Fluorescence labeling with optical sequestration (dye-cushion)
- Cartridge-based disposable assay consumables
News & Updates
December 5, 2023. First Light Diagnostics announced FDA clearance for its rapid B. anthracis Toxin Test, a significant biodefense development.
July 20, 2021. The company announced FDA clearance for its Clostridiodes difficile Toxin test, based on its proprietary MultiPath technology.
May 5, 2021. Joanne Spadoro, PhD, was named President and CEO to lead the company.
October 27, 2020. The company received a $4 million award from BARDA to support the development of its SensiTox B. anthracis Toxin Test.
Peer-reviewed article discussing technology that identifies UTI pathogens in 45 min and provides AST results in less than 5 hours from urine specimens without colony isolation.
Peer-reviewed article on a new immunoassay-based technology capable of counting single target molecules using digital imaging.
December 5, 2023. First Light Diagnostics announced FDA clearance for its rapid B. anthracis Toxin Test, a significant biodefense development.
July 20, 2021. The company announced FDA clearance for its Clostridiodes difficile Toxin test, based on its proprietary MultiPath technology.
May 5, 2021. Joanne Spadoro, PhD, was named President and CEO to lead the company.
October 27, 2020. The company received a $4 million award from BARDA to support the development of its SensiTox B. anthracis Toxin Test.
Peer-reviewed article discussing technology that identifies UTI pathogens in 45 min and provides AST results in less than 5 hours from urine specimens without colony isolation.
Peer-reviewed article on a new immunoassay-based technology capable of counting single target molecules using digital imaging.