PathoGenetix, Inc. is developing an automated system for identification and strain typing of microorganisms in a broad range of complex sample types.

The company’s approach, called Genome Sequence Scanning technology (GSS), uniquely employs a single reagent set to create genomic barcodes which are then used to detect and identify thousands of strains from hundreds of species from a single sample in three hours. No PCR or other amplification technique is applied.

The company is pursuing applications of the GSS technology for rapid bacterial identification and strain typing in markets such as genomics and microbiome research, industrial microbiology and food safety, as well as the $1.8B regulated clinical bacteriology market. The company expects to launch the first commercial application, for the research market, in late 2012.

PathoGenetix’s core GSS technology was developed under a five-year, $50 million Department of Homeland Security contract for detection of biothreat pathogens in environmental samples. The company successfully completed the contract and built a series of advanced prototype biosensors. These large systems were designed for continuous, automated environmental monitoring. The company is currently developing a compact, bench top version incorporating the GSS technology for the commercial market. The company was initially established as US Genomics and became PathoGenetix in conjunction with a financing in 2010 and the launch of a new commercial strategy. PathoGenetix closed a Series B financing in November 2011, raising an additional $11.5 million.