FINDER, our innovative digital microfluidic diagnostic platform, is named a finalist for the Medical Design Excellence Awards (MDEA). FINDER is a near-patient testing platform that maximizes the diagnostic yield from a small sample to provide a comprehensive evaluation of neonatal and pediatric patients, especially those undergoing intensive care. The instrument’s intuitive workflow and small footprint make rapid diagnostic testing possible in distributed environments.

Since MDEA’s inception in 1998, the mission of the awards has been to recognize significant achievements in medical product design and engineering that improve the quality of healthcare delivery and accessibility. Each year, a panel of jurors comprised of designers, engineers, and clinicians awards bronze, silver, gold, and best-in-show honors to the most innovative products on the market in eleven categories. MDEA takes a holistic view at the applicants including product design, business case, and healthcare benefit.

Baebies’ FINDER is among the six finalists in the “Testing and Diagnostic Products and Systems” category for 2021. Past winners in this category include VENTANA DP 200 (Roche Tissue Diagnostics), Panther Fusion system (Hologic, Inc.), FreeStyle Libre (Abbott Laboratories), and ePlex (GenMark Diagnostics, Inc.). Winners have ranged from startup companies to established global corporations. Baebies’ SEEKER, newborn screening platform powered by digital microfluidics, was a finalist as well in 2018.

The winners of the 2021 awards will be announced on May 13 during the Medtech Design Summit 2021. Visit MD+DI online to view finalists in all categories and to vote for your choice for 2021 MD+DI Readers' Choice Winner.

Baebies has a robust development pipeline and recently won the prestigious 2020 AACC Disruptive Technology Award for FINDER in a tight competition emerging as the next innovative testing solution that will transform patient care. Versions of the platform include: