New York, NY (March 10, 2021) – Mount Sinai Health System announced today that Kantaro Biosciences, LLC, a joint venture with RenalytixAI, has been named to Fast Company’s prestigious annual list of the “World’s Most Innovative Companies” for 2021 and ranked first in the Joint Ventures category. Mount Sinai launched Kantaro in May 2020 to develop and scale production and distribution of a test kit to measure the presence and precise levels of COVID-19 antibodies. The test is based on technology created by a team of internationally recognized scientists and clinicians, including members of the Departments of Microbiology and Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine within the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
“Thanks to the efforts of Mount Sinai scientists, researchers, and clinicians, we know much more about this virus, how to test for it and treat COVID-19,” said Kenneth L. Davis, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mount Sinai Health System. “Kantaro was born out of Mount Sinai’s pioneering spirit to push the boundaries of science and medicine, to find solutions for the global community and greater good. We are honored that Kantaro is being recognized as ‘Most Innovative.’ Mount Sinai and Kantaro will not stop until this pandemic ends and we are better prepared for the next one.”
The Kantaro test measures the presence and precise level of IgG antibodies—a type of antibody produced as part of the immune response to COVID-19. Unlike most other antibody tests, the test reports a numerical answer, not just a yes/no qualitative result. It can be used in any authorized clinical testing laboratory without the need for proprietary equipment.
Kantaro achieved a variety of milestones this year, including a commercial partnership with Bio-Techne Corporation to manufacture the Kantaro tests at scale; receiving CE marking, the European Union’s (EU) mandatory conformity marking for two versions of its test, known as COVID-SeroKlir and COVID-SeroIndex; and securing Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA for COVID-SeroKlir. Kantaro also established a global footprint in the United Kingdom, Europe, and South America through strategic partnerships with EKF Diagnostics, a global leader in diagnostic testing, and Atrys Health, a biomedical company dedicated to providing diagnostic services and medical treatments of excellence.
The World’s Most Innovative Companies is Fast Company’s signature franchise and one of its most highly anticipated editorial efforts of the year. This year’s Most Innovative Companies list honors 463 businesses from 29 countries that have found a way to be resilient in the past year and impact their industries and culture as a whole. It provides both a snapshot and a road map for the future of innovation across the most dynamic sectors of the economy.
“We’re thrilled to receive this recognition from Fast Company,” said Erik Lium, PhD, President, Mount Sinai Innovation Partners and Chief Commercial Innovation Officer, Mount Sinai Health System. “This reflects our commitment to patient-centric innovation and to rapidly advancing solutions to address critical unmet healthcare needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.”
About the Mount Sinai Health System
The Mount Sinai Health System is New York City’s largest academic medical system, encompassing eight hospitals, a leading medical school, and a vast network of ambulatory practices throughout the greater New York region. Mount Sinai is a national and international source of unrivaled education, translational research and discovery, and collaborative clinical leadership ensuring that we deliver the highest quality care—from prevention to treatment of the most serious and complex human diseases. The Health System includes more than 7,200 physicians and features a robust and continually expanding network of multispecialty services, including more than 400 ambulatory practice locations throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, and Long Island. The Mount Sinai Hospital is ranked No. 14 on U.S. News & World Report’s “Honor Roll” of the Top 20 Best Hospitals in the country and the Icahn School of Medicine as one of the Top 20 Best Medical Schools in country. The Mount Sinai Hospital is ranked No. 19 on Newsweek’s Best Hospitals in the World. Mount Sinai Health System hospitals are consistently ranked regionally by specialty and our physicians are in the top 1% of all physicians nationally by U.S. News & World Report.
For more information, visit https://www.mountsinai.org or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
About Kantaro Biosciences
About Bio-Techne Corporation
Bio-Techne Corporation (NASDAQ: TECH) is a global life sciences company providing innovative tools and bioactive reagents for the research and clinical diagnostic communities. Bio-Techne products assist scientific investigations into biological processes and the nature and progress of specific diseases. They aid in drug discovery efforts and provide the means for accurate clinical tests and diagnoses. With thousands of products in its portfolio, Bio-Techne generated approximately $739 million in net sales in fiscal 2020 and has over 2,300 employees worldwide. For more information on Bio-Techne and its brands, please visit www.bio-techne.com.
About Renalytix AI plc
RenalytixAI is a developer of artificial intelligence-enabled clinical in vitro diagnostic solutions for kidney disease, one of the most common and costly chronic medical conditions globally. The Company’s products are being designed to make significant improvements in kidney disease diagnosis, transplant management, clinical care, patient stratification for drug clinical trials, and drug target discovery. For more information, visit renalytixai.com.
About Fast Company
Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. The editor-in-chief is Stephanie Mehta. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with our sister publication Inc., and can be found online at www.fastcompany.com.
