Dr. Brendan O’Farrell, the President and Co-founder of DCN Dx, recently sat down for a virtual “fireside chat” with John Zeis, the President of Toolbox Medical Innovations. The two leaders discussed the origins of their respective companies, the evolution of the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the future of diagnostics.
Read below for the highlights of the talk. To watch the full conversation, click here.
How DCN Dx Got Its Start
O’Farrell studied and worked in the lateral flow and rapid diagnostics industry for nearly 30 years prior to co-founding DCN Dx. A native of Dublin, O’Farrell worked in various diagnostics environments and quickly found a gap in the market: education and training for lateral flow technology.
DCN Dx began within another biotech company as a consulting team designed to help clients develop products to access manufacturing equipment faster. In 2005, O’Farrell and his partner created DCN Dx as a brick-and-mortar lateral flow assay contract developer with a focus on industry education, emphasizing the capabilities of lateral flow technology.
As the industry has grown, DCN Dx has grown with it.
How has COVID-19 Changed the Industry?
When discussing diagnostic devices in relation to COVID-19, it’s important to differentiate between those that have received Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA and those that have not, said O’Farrell.
He explained that there are risks and rewards that must be weighed in the development of every medical device. During the pandemic, several rapid diagnostic devices have received EUAs. This has allowed developers to circumvent the normally rigorous regulatory cycle because the benefits outweigh the risk. However, he said, the situation will likely be short-lived.
While the industry has a surfeit of COVID-19 diagnostic devices at the moment, O’Farrell said it’s important for developers to be prepared when the process returns to “normal.” He said that while that process has become more efficient over the years, it does require time and patience.
At-Home Diagnostics
Lateral flow technology makes at-home diagnostic devices easily available. The development and manufacturing of rapid diagnostic devices using lateral flow technology depends on consumer interest.
Even before the pandemic, consumers outside the healthcare industry demonstrated interest in rapid diagnostics. That interest has continued to grow. With smartphone apps, easy-to-use diagnostic devices, and DNA and other analyses at their fingertips, consumers have become more interested in monitoring their own health and wellbeing.
“That demand will likely persist, and we have the technology to scale manufacturing of these devices to grow that direct-to-consumer market,” O’Farrell said. “To disrupt the market, you don’t necessarily need new technology: it can simply be a better application from existing technologies, more efficient processes, or new market paradigms.”
Watch the Full Conversation
To see the full conversation between Dr. Brendan O’Farrell, the President and Co-founder of DCN Dx, and John Zeis, the President of Toolbox Medical Innovations, click here.
DCN Dx is a globally recognized contract developer of rapid diagnostic tests based in Carlsbad, Calif. Since its founding, DCN Dx has been committed to furthering the rapid diagnostic and point-of-care test market through the continued evolution of technologies and applications related to lateral flow assays. DCN Dx’s cross-functional team of scientists and engineers develop and integrate all aspects of the assay system, including complex binding reactions, cassettes, sample handling devices, and reader systems. The company assists clients in developing entire rapid diagnostic tests, from concept to commercialization.
To learn more about DCN Dx’s services, click here.
