SpeeDx Pty. Ltd. Raises Additional $15 million in Series B Funding

Funds to support expanding global menu and further U.S. clinical trial activities

SYDNEY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--#diagnostics--SpeeDx Pty Ltd, the developer of innovative clinical diagnostics to support improved patient outcomes, today announced it has raised $15 million in additional series B equity investment from U.S.-based Northpond Ventures. This investment comes with a company value uptick of 21.22%.

"SpeeDx's molecular diagnostic solutions are having a profound global impact in the areas of STIs, antibiotic resistance markers, and respiratory diseases," said Michael P. Rubin, M.D., Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Northpond Ventures. "We've already seen how their diagnostic solutions for infectious diseases can translate to improved patient management, and Northpond Ventures is thrilled to continue this partnership as SpeeDx grows their global footprint."

In the U.S., SpeeDx is finalizing clinical trials for their flagship product ResistancePlus MG, detecting the STI Mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen) and genetic markers linked to antibiotic resistance of the common macrolide frontline treatment. Resistance rates in Mgen infection are steadily rising around the world, leading to difficult-to-treat infections.^1-3 Recommendations for resistance testing to better inform treatment decisions can be found in Mgen management guidelines around the world.^4-9 A recent partnership with Cepheid also saw the development of ResistancePlus MG on the GeneXpert^® platform (available in Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Europe), as part of their FleXible cartridge program, this product was launched late 2019 and is providing clinicians with timely information to assist management of Mgen infections and adhere to management guidelines.

SpeeDx CFO Bhavin Raval said, "As we rapidly expand and enter into more collaborative partnerships, these additional funds will support the necessary structural and process investments to ensure strong pipeline and service growth throughout this year and beyond."

Pre-clinical testing is wrapping up in preparation for commencing U.S.-based clinical trials for ResistancePlus^® GC—a test to determine susceptibility of gonorrhoea infections to ciprofloxacin treatment. This test has been granted Breakthrough Device designation by the FDA which will fast track the registration process. This will provide doctors and patients the option of using ciprofloxacin instead of ceftriaxone, one of the last remaining antibiotics available for multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea infections.

About SpeeDx

SpeeDx has developed a molecular diagnostics test portfolio, principally for infectious diseases, that provides both identification as well as therapeutic guidance capabilities. The company is based in Australia with offices in Austin and London, and distributors across Europe. SpeeDx specializes in molecular diagnostic solutions that go beyond simple detection to offer comprehensive information for improved patient management. Innovative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technology has driven market-leading multiplex detection and priming strategies. Product portfolios focus on multiplex diagnostics for sexually transmitted infection (STI), antibiotic resistance markers, and respiratory disease. For more information about SpeeDx please see: https://plexpcr.com

About Northpond Ventures

Northpond Ventures is a leading global science-driven innovation firm dedicated to building and empowering breakthrough companies in life sciences and technology. Since its founding, Northpond Ventures has risen to become among the most-active investors in the life sciences and molecular diagnostics industries and is very active in all disciplines related to healthcare and affiliated industries. Its investments target the greatest scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs in life sciences, diagnostics, AI and machine learning, therapeutics, and affiliated sectors. Northpond has in excess of $500 million of committed capital, with over 20 businesses represented in its portfolio. For more information, please visit: npv.vc.

References

Read T R H, Fairley C K, Murray G L, et al. Outcomes of resistance-guided sequential treatment of Mycoplasma genitalium infections: a prospective evaluation, Clinical Infectious Diseases, ciy477, https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciy477
Getman D, Jiang A, O'Donnell M, Cohen S. 2016. Mycoplasma genitalium prevalence, coinfection, and macrolide antibiotic resistance frequency in a multicenter clinical study cohort in the United States. J Clin Microbiol 54:2278-2283.
Murray GL, Bradshaw CS, Bissessor M, et al. Increasing Macrolide and Fluoroquinolone Resistance in Mycoplasma genitalium. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2017;23(5):809-812. doi:10.3201/eid2305.161745.
Jensen et al. 2016 European guideline on Mycoplasma genitalium infections. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2016 Oct;30(10):1650-1656.
Horner PJ et al. 2016 European guideline on the management of non-gonococcal urethritis. Int J STD AIDS. 2016 Oct;27(11):928-37.
2018 BASHH UK national guideline for the management of infection with Mycoplasma genitalium. Available online at: https://www.bashhguidelines.org/media/1198/mg-2018.pdf
Groupe Infectiologie Dermatologique et Infections Sexuellement GRIDIST and Société Fançaise de Dermatologie – Press Release. Available online at: https://www.sfdermato.org/actualites/communique-commun-gridist-et-sfd.html
Australian STI Management Guidelines – Mycoplasma genitalium 2018. http://www.sti.guidelines.org.au/sexually-transmissible-infections/mycoplasma-genitalium
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/infectious-diseases/sexual-health-sexually-transmitted-infections/canadian-guidelines/sexually-transmitted-infections/canadian-guidelines-sexually-transmitted-infections-49.html