Device cuts PCR complexity with 45-pathogen detection in 90 minutes

The system identifies 27 viruses, 15 bacteria and three fungi in one device cutting complexity for space-limited clinics.

Healthcare providers still face delays and resource pressure in infection testing as traditional PCR workflows can require multiple machines, separated work areas and trained technicians.

In an interview during the Asian Global Health Summit, Bianca Ko, Business Development Manager at Emerging Viral Diagnostics, said the company is trying to simplify pathogen testing for clinical settings facing space, cost and time limits. “In the traditional laboratory settings, we require for a PCR test, different machines, partitions, and also different types of technicians,” Ko said.

Emerging Viral Diagnostics is developing a system designed to detect 45 pathogen targets in around 90 minutes. Ko said the panel includes 27 viruses, 15 bacteria and three fungi, giving doctors more detailed information within a shorter testing window.

The issue is not only laboratory efficiency. Faster pathogen identification can help medical doctors decide whether antibiotics are needed and guide more precise prescriptions. “In around 90 minutes, still have very detailed results guiding them for a very precise prescription for the patients,” Ko said.

The system is intended to support clinical decisions rather than replace doctors. By reducing the steps involved in conventional PCR testing, Emerging Viral Diagnostics aims to make pathogen detection easier to use in settings where time and resources are limited.

Ko said the broader goal is to help shorten patient recovery journeys and reduce pressure on the healthcare system. For inpatients, quicker identification of infection causes could support earlier discharge when clinically appropriate.

The company is also responding to a wider industry challenge: healthcare providers need to stop relying on slow and resource-heavy testing models when faster answers can shape treatment decisions.

For Ko, the priority is giving doctors clearer pathogen information sooner, so prescriptions can better match the infection involved and hospitals can use resources more efficiently.