New Mexico startup Avisa Pharma, formed to commercialize breath-test technology created at The University of New Mexico, is moving closer to bringing its innovative medical device to market. The technology was developed by UNM Associate Professor Graham Timmins from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the College of Pharmacy for the early detection and treatment of lung infections. Avisa, a clinical-stage company, licenses the technology from STC and has developed a rapid, 10-minute, point-of-care biomarker breath test for the detection and monitoring of pulmonary infections. The AV BreathTest™ (ABT) is a drug/device combination that can guide appropriate use and selection of antibiotics to combat their widespread overuse, which has fueled the rise of antibiotic resistant infections. The drug and device are conveniently packaged as a disposable breath collection kit for use in hospitals, intensive care units, and clinics. Avisa has completed three pilot clinical studies for cystic fibrosis, tuberculosis and community- and hospital-acquired pneumonia with positive safety and efficacy results. The company has raised $15 million in funding for development of the device and its pilot studies and is raising Series B funding for FDA clinical trials for community- and hospital-acquired pneumonia and market readiness of the AV BreathTest™. To read more, see Collin Krabbe’s June 25, 2019, article, “NM biotech startup raises millions ahead of product launch,” from Albuquerque Business First, at https://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/news/2019/06/25/avisa-pharma-raises-millions.html?u=i0GEuubMboiI4I0YV5aEygsAevC&t=1561559251&j=89159621.
