Sepsis Diagnosis Is Too Slow - and Patients Suffer

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Sepsis Is a Deadly Condition That Affects Millions

More than 1.7 million adults in the U.S. develop sepsis each year, resulting in over 350,000 deaths. Globally, there are 50 million cases of sepsis every year and 11 million sepsis-related deaths.
Sepsis is the most expensive condition treated in U.S. hospitals. The annual aggregate hospital cost for sepsis-related inpatient stays in the U.S. is over $50 billion.

Slow Diagnostic Methods Make the Problem Worse

Patients with sepsis require rapid and targeted antimicrobial treatment, but current diagnostic methods depend on blood cultures — a process that typically takes one or more days. This delay forces clinicians to administer broad-spectrum antimicrobials, which are often ineffective, excessively broad, or entirely unnecessary — potentially worsening patient outcomes and contributing to antimicrobial resistance.

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Introducing the SMART-ID Assay

Broad Pathogen Detection Without the Need for Culture

The SMART-ID assay analyzes whole blood to identify the pathogens that cause 95% of bloodstream infection cases within two hours. We believe that this accelerated diagnostic capability will dramatically enhance the management of patients suspected of sepsis. With timely pathogen identification, physicians can quickly initiate targeted antimicrobial therapy.

  • Shorter hospital stays
  • Targeted and effective antimicrobial therapies
  • Reduced sepsis mortality and morbidity
  • Reduced antimicrobials adverse effects
  • Reduced antimicrobial resistance
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The S1 Instrument

Results When and Where Sepsis Patients Need Them

S1 Instrument Front

The S1 Instrument delivers SMART molecular technology where results matter most—near the patient. Designed for point-of-care and near-patient settings, the S1 Instrument is ideal for use in emergency departments, hospital wards, STAT labs, and microbiology laboratories. Its compact, modular design offers unmatched flexibility to meet the unique throughput and spatial constraints of each environment.
Key Features:

  • Fully automated bench top system
  • Simple, intuitive user interface and workflows
  • Scalable: up to five independently operating modules
S1 Baseline

The S1 base configuration includes a touchscreen, barcode scanner, control unit, and one processing module capable of running a single test cartridge. The integrated touchscreen offers a streamlined interface for initiating tests and reviewing results. Additional modules can be easily stacked on top of the base unit, enabling users to expand or replace modules as needed—ensuring adaptability to changing testing volumes and workflows. The system supports integration with Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) to enable seamless data transfer and result reporting.



cartridge loading

To initiate a test, the user simply scans and inserts a vacutainer into a test cartridge. The cartridge is then loaded into an available module within the instrument. From there, the module automatically processes the sample and generates aresult, which is displayed on the instrument's touchscreen for immediate review.

Our Leadership Team

Al Celedon

Founder & CEO

Invented SMART technology and
led its development

Adam Steel

Interim Chief Operations Officer

Former VP of R&D
at Becton Dickinson

Richard Brock

Executive Advisor (CCO - designate)

Former Executive Francise Director
at bioMerieux

Michael VanSickler

Director of Systems Eng. and PMO

Former Associate Director
at Becton Dickinson

Aylish Ptak

Director of Assay Development

Developed and optimized the
SMART assay

Tom Borgoyn

Engineering Consultant

Former VP of Engineering
at Becton Dickinson