PathoGene is a limited liability company (LLC) founded in August 2008. Founding LLC members are Technical Resource Management, Inc. (TRM), Thomas E. Vorpahl, William P. Gibbs, Paul S. Keim, and David M. Engelthaler. The company is located in the Northern Arizona Center for Emerging Technologies (NACET), a technology accelerator located in Flagstaff, AZ.

PathoGene is engaged in the development of proprietary molecular diagnostic assays for detection of infectious diseases and rapid strain identification that can offer substantial advantages over currently available methodologies. The lead product are revolutionary MDx assays for the diagnosis of MRSA infections and for determining the antibiotic resistance profile of the infection. These assays have been found to be as sensitive and specific as the traditional culture techniques which are the primary methodology in use today. However, PathoGene’s assays provide results much more quickly, enhancing therapeutic decision making.

PathoGene is currently focused on commercializing intellectual property (IP) licensed from TGen for clinical diagnostic assays, infection surveillance tools and public health analysis tools. With the increasing incidence of pathogens that have become resistant to therapeutic agents such as antibiotics or antivirals, there will be a growing need for assays that can rapidly identify infectious agents, their resistance profile, and where clinically significant, the specific strain.

PathoGene is in the start-up phase. The company recently raised $700,000 through a private placement offering. The company has executed licenses with TGen for intellectual property pertaining to certain infectious diseases for human and veterinary diagnostics, public health (e.g., surveillance tools), and research use, and is pursuing and evaluating additional licensing opportunities with TGen and other research entities.