A new research and testing centre at the University of Calgary will focus on improving diagnostics for detecting serious infections.
The Alberta Centre for Advanced Diagnostics aims to become a new hub in the global push to advance diagnostic technology.
Director Dr. Ian Lewis says the facility will use Alberta’s consolidated health-care system to accelerate research and development and give Alberta-based companies a significant edge in this rapidly growing market.
He says the centre will connect early-stage innovators with the facilities, equipment and health-care contacts needed to prototype new diagnostics and evaluate them against established tools.
Lewis says diagnostic technology plays a role in 70 per cent of medical treatment decisions and better tools can help improve patient health.
He says at this point, many front-line diagnostics rely on outdated technology.