ProteoSense

ProteoSense, established in 2013, emerged as a spinout from The Ohio State University with the goal of addressing critical delays in food safety testing. The company was founded by Mark Byrne, an experienced C-level executive with a background in the medical device industry at firms like Battelle and Johnson & Johnson, and a history of leading several life science startups, including Assurex Health. His expertise in technology commercialization and business development in the life sciences directly informed ProteoSense's mission to bring a rapid diagnostic tool to the food industry.

The company developed a portable, handheld pathogen detection system named RapidScan™. This system was engineered to significantly reduce pathogen testing times from several days to as little as 90 minutes, a substantial improvement over traditional lab-based methods. The technology integrates antigen marker analysis with electrochemical detection, allowing for on-site testing without the need for sample incubation. ProteoSense's business model focused on selling a reusable, smartphone-sized meter and single-use sensor cartridges specific to different pathogens like Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli. This model aimed to provide recurring revenue through the sale of disposable cartridges to its client base.

ProteoSense targeted growers, food processors, shippers, and wholesalers as its primary clientele. These businesses face immense pressure from regulations such as the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and the high costs associated with food recalls, which average around $10 million per incident. The RapidScan™ system offered the benefit of immediate, in-field results, enabling non-technical personnel to conduct tests and allowing companies to identify contamination issues proactively within the supply chain rather than reactively after products have been shipped. The company engaged in field trials with major industry players, including Taylor Farms, Tyson Foods, and Driscoll's, to validate its technology. Despite raising approximately $482K through investors like Rev1 Ventures, THRIVE, and grants from Ohio Third Frontier, corporate records indicate the company ceased operations around October 2022.

Keywords: food safety, pathogen detection, rapid diagnostics, handheld sensor, biosensor technology, food supply chain, agritech, food processing, Listeria testing, Salmonella detection, E. coli monitoring, Mark Byrne, Ohio State University spinout, Rev1 Ventures, food testing equipment, on-site diagnostics, electrochemical sensor, food recalls, FSMA compliance, pathogen screening