Bengaluru: MedGenome has announced the launch of MetaSeq, an advanced blood test designed to enable faster and more comprehensive detection of bloodstream infections (BSIs). The test delivers results in approximately five days and has demonstrated higher sensitivity than standard blood culture methods, supporting clinicians in making earlier and more informed treatment decisions—particularly for critically ill and immunocompromised patients, where timely intervention is critical.
MetaSeq leverages metagenomic next-generation sequencing (NGS) to analyse microbial cell-free DNA (cfDNA) present in the bloodstream. This approach enables the identification of over 1,400 clinically relevant pathogens—including bacteria, fungi, parasites, and DNA viruses—through a single test, eliminating the need for multiple targeted assays.
Conventionally, bloodstream infections are diagnosed using blood culture tests, which can take several days and often yield false-negative results, especially in patients who have already received antibiotics. MetaSeq overcomes these limitations by detecting microbial DNA directly from blood samples, enabling accurate pathogen identification even when traditional methods are inconclusive.
MetaSeq is CE-IVD validated for peripheral blood samples and can also be performed on other clinical sample types, including cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, and ascitic fluid.
Commenting on the launch, Vedam Ramprasad, PhD, CEO, MedGenome Labs Ltd, said, “Diagnosing bloodstream infections remains one of the most challenging aspects of clinical care. Physicians are often forced to rely on symptom-based provisional diagnoses and probability-driven treatment decisions, leading to prolonged therapies, repeated testing, and delays in administering the right treatment.”
He added that the advanced blood test enables early and accurate diagnosis through genomics-driven, actionable insights.
“MetaSeq transforms clinical decision-making by providing precise diagnostic visibility earlier in the care pathway, empowering clinicians with timely and reliable information and ultimately improving patient outcomes. With MetaSeq, we are raising the benchmark for speed, sensitivity, and reliability in infectious disease diagnostics in India,” he said.
MedGenome developed MetaSeq in partnership with Noscendo, a Germany-based company specialising in software-driven pathogen diagnostics. The test is powered by Noscendo’s DISQVER® platform, which employs advanced bioinformatics algorithms for accurate pathogen identification. DISQVER® is recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the only clinically approved NGS platform for diagnosing invasive fungal diseases.
Andreas Käpplein, CEO, Noscendo, said, “This collaboration between MedGenome and Noscendo has the potential to revolutionise infection diagnostics in South Asia. With precise pathogen identification, MetaSeq lays the foundation for faster and more accurate diagnosis of infections. In critical cases, this can significantly improve treatment outcomes and even save lives. Patients across India can now benefit from these advancements.”
