Automation expert joins FluroTech board to advance COVID-19 detection tech

Hudson Robotics Founder and President Phil Farrelly has joined the advisory board of Calgary-based FluroTech, a developer and custom manufacturer of spectroscopy-based technology.

FluroTech’s joint venture partner FluroTest, a developer of surge-scale rapid antigen testing for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens, will benefit from Farrelly’s expertise.

Farrelly is a life sciences and lab automation authority and innovator. He founded Hudson Robotics in 1983, establishing the company as a specialist in microplate automation, laboratory robotics, liquid handling and customized software-driven laboratory automation solutions for life sciences research.

Hudson Robotics develops specialized tools used in areas such as drug discovery, clinical research and pharmaceutical development, including high-throughput screening, proteomics and genomics. A strategic partnership with FluroTest was announced Nov. 20, 2020 and, most recently, pre-production development of three functioning pandemic defence platform systems were announced on Feb. 19, 2021.

“I’ve dedicated much of my adult life to advancing the science of automation, and in the wake of one of the worst global economic downturns in recent history, I believe manufacturing technologies that increase throughput, productivity, accuracy and safety have never been more important,” says Farrelly in a statement.

“The FluroTest Pandemic Defense System is a seriously innovative way to approach a problem that will be with us for years to come. I am excited to support their efforts as an advisor.”

FluroTest’s system, which is a proof-of-concept prototype, is designed to be portable and to facilitate point-of-service, rapid testing of individuals with high-speed, high throughput functionality. Testing of the device is still in its early stages.

Should the platform be approved by regulatory bodies, target industries include manufacturing facilities, transportation and distribution hubs, schools and colleges, hospitals and large healthcare facilities, athletic stadiums and performance venues, airline and cruise ship terminals, corporate campuses, shopping centres, and other large business and retail locations.