Rhinostics and Nexus Medical Labs Announce Partnership to Launch Rapid, Cost-Efficient Swab Sample Processing for Telehealth and Broader Industries

Increased Sample Throughput and Consistency in COVID-19 and Other Swab-Based Tests is Supported through Use of the Novel RHINOstic™ Automated Nasal Swab

WALTHAM, Mass. & WATERTOWN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--#acceleratecovidtesting--Nexus Medical Labs and Rhinostics, Inc., are pleased to announce a forward-reaching collaboration to deliver high quality diagnostic test results and rapid turnaround times for telehealth companies and others across the broader healthcare community. The agreement includes using the RHINOstic™ Automated Nasal Swab from Rhinostics when processing COVID-19 and other swab-based samples at Nexus. In addition to speed and results integrity, use of the RHINOstic in an automated workflow at Nexus is expected to boost cost-savings compared to manual sample processing methods.

“Together, Nexus and Rhinostics are building the next generation of ultra-rapid testing services and products and setting the bar very high when it comes to data quality,” commented Brandon Johnson, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Nexus. “By leading the way on post-pandemic laboratory and workflow modernization, we can strongly align with our healthcare partners, especially those in the rapidly expanding at-home sample collection market.”

“Time is critical to diagnose and treat disease, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” added Cheri Walker, PhD, President and CEO of Rhinostics. “We are proud to partner with Nexus on time-saving swab solutions that can truly impact the world while doing so in a cost-effective manner.”

Founded in 2021, Nexus integrates cutting-edge automation technologies to process diagnostic samples in a high throughput manner with turnaround times as low as 5.5 hours. Rapid time to results and consistent, high-quality data are of particular benefit to the lab’s healthcare customers who focus on at-home collection methods.

Nexus relies on the automated RHINOstic swab workflow to process up to 20,000 COVID-19 samples per day. This patent-pending and U.S. FDA Class I exempt collection device integrates a unique swab with an automatable cap.

Once swab samples are collected by the patient or medical professional, the RHINOstic swab is placed into a barcoded sample container and shipped without use of viral transport media (VTM). Dry transport reduces reagent costs and risk of leaks. This, and the hydrophobic polypropylene design, enable greater concentrations of sample to be eluted for use in PCR, next gen sequencing, ELISA methods, and more. It also bypasses the need for tip-intensive workflow steps, such as extraction or concentration, to reduce overall consumable costs.

Automated accessioning, decapping, and capping of up to 96 RHINOstic devices simultaneously increases sample processing speed and consistency compared to manual methods. These benefits are further enhanced in a walkaway workflow incorporating an automated liquid handler. As the automated RHINOstic workflow is scalable, it can instantly adapt to surging sample demands without increasing labor costs.

About Rhinostics

Rhinostics Inc. is revolutionizing swab-based sample processing workflows around the world. As an early-stage company, we bring efficiencies and cost savings to laboratory workflows through our simple and elegant swab solutions. Our flagship RHINOstic™ Automated Nasal Swab offers a 10x sample throughput increase with high consistency compared to manual methods. Our flagship RHINOstic Automated Nasal Swab is uniquely crafted to work in an automated workflow and offers a robust and consistent 10x sample throughput increase compared to manual methods. As a scalable solution, the RHINOstic helps to keep labor costs at a minimum, while dry transport reduces reagent costs and tip-intensive processing steps. Our manual swabs are also designed to improve efficiency, with dry transport, high collection yields, and complete sample elution. All bring an immediate and beneficial impact to COVID-19 testing as well as those processing respiratory viral, bacterial, and genetic tests using PCR and NGS methods. Rhinostics products are registered as Class I exempt medical devices with the U.S. FDA and may be used for clinical collection upon CLIA validation. To learn more, visit https://www.rhinostics.com.

About Nexus Medical Laboratories

Nexus Medical Laboratories aims to bring the next generation of diagnostics and sample collection tools directly into the hands of patients everywhere. A new lab launched in 2021 by industry leaders in diagnostics, home collected samples, and COVID-19 testing, Nexus is implementing cutting edge laboratory automation technologies that allow the highest quality of service levels with the fastest turnaround times. Nexus team members have successfully worked with the largest and most reputable labs in the world, produced multiple products in the diagnostics disposables space at over 100 million units per year at less than 10c per unit, created the first home blood collection device to match laboratory collection standards of accuracy, and established a COVID testing lab with capacity for more than 20,000 samples per day.

Nexus has transferred the exact technology and workflow developed and implemented by one of the world’s leading academic and medical school laboratories for the mostly highly automated and cost effective workflow for swab-based samples, powered by the RHINOstic(™) Automated Swab. Nexus is the first commercial laboratory to offer these EUA approved testing services and is dedicated to being the leader in the space by providing the highest quality and most responsive service to our partners on every front.

To learn more, visit http://nexusmedlabs.com.

Media Contact:
Chere Griffin, Rhinostics, Inc.
978-793-7865
chere_griffin@rhinostics.com

Investor Contacts:
Cheri Walker, Rhinostics, Inc.
info@rhinostics.com

Brandon Johnson, Nexus Medical Labs
brandon@nexusmedlabs.com