Sudbury company aims to change blood testing
A Sudbury medical technology company is hoping to change the way people access and conduct blood testing.
The Sudbury startup is looking to branch out and provide clients with in-home testing.
After seeing his father test his blood sugar at home, a Sudbury man had an idea.
“I was sitting with my father, who has type-2 diabetes, and he was doing a glucometer test. He got his results and wrote it down in a book. And said to me, now I can have a slice of bread?” said Jeff Sutton, founder and president of Verv Technologies.
“My dad got his test at home but if I want to check my cholesterol, I have to go to a doctor.”
Sutton said most tests are done on blood plasma, but his firm developed technology that separates plasma from whole blood.
“It took us some time to figure it out -- it sounds easy but it’s not easy,” said Sutton.
“We thought outside the box. And with a small analyzer, a consumer can take a finger prick of blood, put it into our separation system, into our disposable cartridge and in 15 minutes get results.”
Sutton said the company’s technology can conduct a total blood test like a cholesterol panel, vitamin D and inflammation index.
“Biomarkers to monitor and manage your health, while you’re healthy,” he said.
Sutton said the company is building a prototype analyzer and hopes to have it ready by October.
The cost for the unit is about $400. Sutton said his company has its sights set on the U.S. market.
“Canada has a great healthcare system but it’s highly regulated," he said. "Our market starts in the States with consumers.”
When asked about the accuracy of the results of the in-home testing kit, he replied: “The results are as accurate as your regular hospital laboratory.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.