Disruptive Diagnostic Pioneer Honored for Applying the Power of CRISPR Technology to COVID-19 Testing

Cambridge, Mass., November, 18, 2021 – Sherlock Biosciences, an Engineering Biology company dedicated to making diagnostic testing better, faster and more affordable, today announced that it has been named to Fast Company’s inaugural Next Big Things in Tech list for its application of CRISPR technology to its FDA-authorized COVID-19 testing kit. The list honors technology breakthroughs that promise to shape the future of their industries—from healthcare to agriculture to artificial intelligence and more.

The final list, which includes global giants, intrepid startups, and research that’s fresh from the labs, recognizes 65 technologies that are making waves. While not all of the products, services, and technological developments are on the market yet, they’re reaching key milestones in having a positive impact for consumers, businesses, and society at large in the next five years. Fast Company also recognized 33 honorable mentions.

Sherlock Biosciences first broke ground by receiving the first ever FDA authorization of CRISPR technology for its Sherlock™ CRISPR SARS-CoV-2 kit for the rapid detection of the virus that causes COVID-19. Beyond COVID-19, there are additional gaps in at-home testing, and Sherlock is committed to bringing testing into consumers’ homes to make healthcare more accessible.

“The recent COVID-19 global health crisis underscored the dire need for rapid, reliable, and accessible diagnostic testing. Our first-of-its-kind CRISPR-based COVID-19 testing kit has provided a springboard from which we will continue to apply cutting-edge science to create new diagnostics solutions that change the lives of individuals and have a profound impact on society at large,” said Bryan Dechairo, President and CEO of Sherlock Biosciences. “We are honored that our technology was recognized by Fast Company as one of the Next Big Things in Tech 2021. We are determined to put vital health information in the hands of patients so they are empowered to make informed healthcare decisions.”

“Fast Company is thrilled to highlight cutting-edge technologies that are solving real-world problems in unexpected ways. From climate change and public health crises to machine learning and security, these technologies will certainly have a profound impact on the future, and we’re honored to bring attention to them today,” says Stephanie Mehta, editor-in-chief of Fast Company.

Click here to see the final list.

The Winter 2021/2022 issue of Fast Company is available online now and will hit newsstands on December 7.

About Fast Company

Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. The editor-in-chief is Stephanie Mehta. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with our sister publication, Inc., and can be found online at fastcompany.com.

About Sherlock Biosciences

Sherlock Biosciences is setting a new standard for molecular diagnostics, bringing answers to the point of need by enabling simple and convenient access to health information. Through its Engineering Biology platforms, CRISPR-based SHERLOCK™ and INSPECTR™, a synthetic-biology-based molecular diagnostics platform that is instrument-free, Sherlock is bringing together the accuracy of PCR testing with the convenience and simplicity of antigen tests for molecular diagnostics at your fingertips. SHERLOCK and INSPECTR can be used in virtually any setting without complex instrumentation, opening up a wide range of potential applications in areas including the home, precision oncology, infection identification, food safety and disease detection. In 2020 the company made history with the first FDA-authorized use of CRISPR technology. For more information please visit www.sherlock.bio.

Contact

Dean Mastrojohn, Goodfuse Communications
dean.mastrojohn@goodfuse.com

Cambridge, Mass., July 12, 2021 – Sherlock Biosciences, an Engineering Biology company dedicated to making diagnostic testing better, faster and more affordable, today announced that Bryan Dechairo, Ph.D. has been appointed president and chief executive officer. He will also join Sherlock’s board of directors. He succeeds Co-Founder Rahul Dhanda, who will continue to serve as a board member until the end of 2021 and then as strategic adviser in 2022.

“After a year of unprecedented growth and acceleration of our CRISPR and synthetic biology technologies, Sherlock is poised to disrupt diagnostics through the launch of real-world solutions that provide accurate, actionable health information wherever and whenever it is needed,” said Jim Collins, Ph.D., co-founder and board member of Sherlock Biosciences. “Bryan brings 20-plus years of experience spanning research to commercial, with a proven track record of funding and scaling business from venture-backed start-ups to profitable public companies. We feel confident that his vast experience, coupled with his passion for providing patient access to effective and cost-saving novel technologies, will lead us into the next chapter for Sherlock.”

Dr. Dechairo joins Sherlock from Myriad Genetics, where he was executive vice president of clinical development. Dr. Dechairo oversaw the development portfolio, delivering business-critical evidentiary data for value-based reimbursement and market acceptance of commercial and novel diagnostic products across six business units globally. Before joining Myriad, he was chief medical officer, chief scientific officer and senior vice president of research and development at Assurex Health, which was acquired by Myriad in 2016. Prior to Assurex Health, Dr. Dechairo held roles of increasing responsibility at Medco Health Solutions, Pfizer and other diagnostic and therapeutics companies. He also served on the board of directors for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and educated and mentored the next generation of clinical leaders through his role as assistant professor of pharmacology at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Dechairo has published more than 50 academic and research-based publications. He received his Ph.D. in human genetics from University College London and completed his undergraduate studies in integrative biology at University of California, Berkeley.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Sherlock at such a pivotal moment for the company,” said Dr. Dechairo. “The past year’s successes are a remarkable testament to the commitment of this team and the disruptive potential of the SHERLOCK™ and INSPECTR™ platforms. I look forward to leveraging my experience in global diagnostic product commercialization to advance Sherlock’s mission to decentralize and democratize advanced molecular diagnostics, bringing easy, rapid and accurate diagnostic tests where and when they are needed most.”

“Bryan’s depth and breadth of experience scaling businesses will enable the company to accelerate growth and development of both our SHERLOCK and INSPECTR platforms,” said Michael Rubin, M.D., Ph.D., board member of Sherlock Biosciences. “Our continued success is built on the solid foundation that Rahul and his team have put into place, and we thank him for his tremendous contributions in reaching this inflection point. We are grateful for his continued guidance and extensive knowledge of the diagnostics space, which is invaluable to our team.”

About Sherlock Biosciences

Sherlock Biosciences is dedicated to providing global access to the simplest and most accurate tests that empower individuals to control their own healthcare. Through its Engineering Biology platforms, the company is developing applications of SHERLOCK™, a CRISPR-based method for “smart amplicon detection,” and INSPECTR™, a synthetic biology-based molecular diagnostics platform that is instrument-free. SHERLOCK and INSPECTR can be used in virtually any setting without complex instrumentation, opening up a wide range of potential applications in areas including precision oncology, infection identification, food safety, at-home tests and disease detection in the field. In 2020, the company made history with the first FDA-authorized use of CRISPR technology. For more information visit Sherlock.bio. 

Contact

Dan Budwick, 1AB

dan@1abmedia.com