Selected as a top five biotech company in the world, LightDeck joins the ranks of Canva, Microsoft, SpaceX, and more 

Boulder, CO (March 8, 2022) — LightDeck Diagnostics, the company leveraging planar waveguide technology to deliver lab-quality diagnostics in minutes, has been named to Fast Company’s prestigious annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2022. 

This year’s list honors businesses that are making the biggest impact on their industries and culture as a whole—ultimately thriving in today’s ever-changing world. These companies are creating the future today with some of the most inspiring accomplishments of the 21st century. In addition to the World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies, 528 organizations are recognized across 52 categories. LightDeck stands at No. 5 in the Biotech category. 

“We’re thrilled to be recognized among such a high caliber of companies across all industries in this year’s list,” said LightDeck CEO Nick Traggis. “LightDeck is revolutionizing testing at the point of care – whether it’s in a clinic or emergency room, or even a retail pharmacy. This year we aim to launch our first ultra-rapid COVID-19 test products, followed by additional in-vitro diagnostic panels, including inflammation, triage, and hormone tests; as we begin to realize our vision of decentralizing diagnostic testing.”

Using a laser and microfluidics platform, LightDeck’s cartridge-based testing system allows sample testing and lab-quality diagnostic results almost anywhere, in minutes, with lab-quality accuracy. In 2021, LightDeck received a $35M grant from the Department of Defense (DOD), in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to increase manufacturing capacity of the company’s COVID-19 tests following $5.65M in funding from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) for test development. The company also received a $2M contract from the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. (HJF) to develop a rapid, multiplexed inflammation test.  

The World’s Most Innovative Companies is Fast Company’s signature franchise and one of its most highly anticipated editorial efforts of the year. It provides both a snapshot and a road map for the future of innovation across the most dynamic sectors of the economy, “The world’s most innovative companies play an essential role in addressing the most pressing issues facing society, whether they’re fighting climate change by spurring decarbonization efforts, ameliorating the strain on supply chains, or helping us reconnect with one another over shared passions,” said Fast Company Deputy Editor David Lidsky.

For the second year in a row, to coincide with the issue launch, Fast Company will host its Most Innovative Companies Summit on April 26–27. The virtual, multiday summit celebrates the Most Innovative Companies in business, and provides an early look at major business trends and an inside look at what it takes to innovate in 2022. Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies issue (March/April 2022) is available online here, as well as in-app form via iTunes, and on newsstands beginning March 15. The hashtag is #FCMostInnovative.

About LightDeck Diagnostics 

LightDeck Diagnostics believes in a new approach to healthcare, where quick and accurate diagnostic tests will be run wherever and whenever they are needed. The company’s proprietary LightDeck® platform combines an advanced laser waveguide with novel materials and patented manufacturing techniques to deliver lab-quality results anywhere, in minutes. The LightDeck platform is achieving success in veterinary diagnostics and for environmental testing. LightDeck is also developing a portfolio of in vitro diagnostic panels, the first is a point-of-care test for COVID-19. The company is based in Boulder, Colorado, and is recognized as Colorado BioScience Association’s Company of the Year, 2021.

ABOUT FAST COMPANY

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