Re-Innovating Rapid Diagnostics
Picodya introduces game-changing technology with the proven
potential to empower wider diagnostics access around the globe.
2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak
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Re-Innovating Point of Care Diagnostics
Picodya introduces game-changing technology with the proven potential to empower wider diagnostics access around the globe.
Founded in early 2018 by Yehuda Yavets-Chen and Kibbutz Hatzerim, Picodya represents a natural extension of Hatzerim’s innovative spirit. After introducing drip irrigation technology 50 years ago and letting the world “grow more with less,” today we are presenting a new made-in-Israel innovation that will let the world “diagnose more with less” and pave the way to a healthier planet.
Our in vitro diagnostics (IVD) platform is suitable for mass deployment at the point of care, from ICUs and hospital departments to field hospital, clinic, and home care uses. By reducing the cost per test by orders of magnitude, we aim to make diagnostics tests accessible to everyone – anywhere, anytime.
IVDs have never been more critical to early detection, treatment decisions, and health outcomes than they are today.
Join us as we pave the way to a healthier planet.
The Challenge:
Lack of IVD Capacity
IV diagnostics are a crucial tool in primary care, as well as in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, cardiac dysfunction, and infectious diseases (HIV/AIDS, TB malaria, coronavirus, etc.). But, as the World Health Organization (WHO) states: “the lack of diagnostic capacity in resource-poor settings continues to be a barrier to achieving treatment targets.”
Our Solution:
Increase Access & Lower Costs
Picodya’s B-Matrix™ system brings rapid IV diagnostics to any location, bypassing the need for central labs, specialist personnel, complex logistics, and long wait times. Thanks to sophisticated AI analysis, doctors can receive reliable, actionable results within just 15 minutes – saving time and saving lives.
Most current POC diagnostics technologies operate on a “one test, one patient” model
These point-of-care IVDs are built to offer a single test and can only analyze one sample at a time, while also being prohibitively expensive and unaffordable for the people and communities who need them most.
Picodya aims to bring a reliable, cost-effective IVD solution to people everywhere, supporting the WHO and FIND public health initiative launched in February 2020 “…towards ensuring access to diagnostics to all who need them” (Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General) and affirming that “each and every person has the right to a quality, timely diagnosis” (Catharina Boehme, FIND CEO).
Introducing a disruptive new POC IVD standard:
Picodya B-Matrix™
Let’s take a look inside our
revolutionary B-Matrix™ technology:
Extensive multi-year R&D has enabled us to launch an innovative immunoassay diagnostics platform that is now redefining POC diagnostics on every level.
Requiring just a few drops of blood, B-Matrix™ is able to conduct a panel of tests and analytes by creating thousands of picoliter (10-12) marker droplets, forming a panel of tests and analyses for multiple patients in parallel. Results are delivered within minutes, at an affordable cost per test that is lower by at least one order of magnitude than existing point of care solutions.
B-Matrix™
Promoting global IVD access through
rapid, reliable, cost-effective POC testing
Compact and user-friendly, B-Matrix™ is ideal for mass deployment worldwide – for medical centers, field hospitals, community clinics, research institutes, mass serological testing, home care, and more – all on an affordable, cost-effective unified technological platform that enables a variety of test panels.
Our Leadership
Leveraging industry-leading expertise and a proven record of entrepreneurial success on a global scale, Picodya benefits from strong multidisciplinary leadership with a shared vision of expanding IVD access worldwide.
Lead Team
Eli Bensimon
Founder & chairman
Eli Bensimon
Founder & chairman
Eli has served in many senior management and commercial roles over the past 30 years, including as CEO of Netafim Mexico, VP Americas and VP Business Development for Netafim, and Business Chairman of Kibbutz Hatzerim. He is also currently Chairman of Negev Energy, General Partner at SIBF, and a board member of both Netafim and Kibbutz Hatzerim.
Tzvika Barkai
Founder & CEO
(BSc Mechanical Eng, MBA)
Tzvika Barkai
Founder & CEO
(BSc Mechanical Eng, MBA)
With 25 years of experience in roles spanning business management, operations, R&D, and engineering, Tzvika has an impressive and diverse resume that includes stints as CEO of Extra-Plastic, VP Operations and Director of Product Development at Netafim, and VP Service Supply chain at Orbotech. He currently serves as Business Chairman of Kibbutz Hatzerim and sits on the board of Netafim, among others.
Yehuda Yavets-Chen
Founder & CTO
Yehuda Yavets-Chen
Founder & CTO
The mastermind behind Picodya’s groundbreaking technology, Yehuda has been developing complex multidisciplinary systems for over 30 years and holds multiple patents in fields such as robotics, medical devices, energy, and artificial intelligence. He is also recognized as the seasoned entrepreneur behind several startups – Phinergy (Israel), Faro Innovision (Italy), and Advanced Robotics (USA) – raising $3-12M for each venture.
Scientific Team
Yehuda Yavets-Chen
Founder & CTO
Yehuda Yavets-Chen
Founder & CTO
The mastermind behind Picodya’s groundbreaking technology, Yehuda has been developing complex multidisciplinary systems for over 30 years and holds multiple patents in fields such as robotics, medical devices, energy, and artificial intelligence. He is also recognized as the seasoned entrepreneur behind several startups – Phinergy (Israel), Faro Innovision (Italy), and Advanced Robotics (USA) – raising $3-12M for each venture.
Avi Schweitzer
Engineering Expert
(MSc, BSc)
Avi Schweitzer
Engineering Expert
(MSc, BSc)
Avi Schweitzer sits on the Picodya board and is active in engineering, IP, and product design. He brings over 45 years in product development and engineering from Netafim, where he is currently CTO and was previously VP Product Offerings, VP R&D, and Head of Research. Avi holds a BSc in Electrical Engineering from the Technion, as well as an MSc in Electrical Engineering and a BSc in Chemistry from Ben-Gurion University.
Yakov Blumenstein
Senior Biomedical
System engineer (PhD)
Yakov Blumenstein
Senior Biomedical
System engineer (PhD)
Dr. Yakov Blumenstein has more than 14 years of experience in multidisciplinary R&D. He previously served as Technology & Production Manager at Procognia and Director, Laboratory Operations, Product & Process Development, Manufacturing at ImmunArray, among many other roles. He holds an MSc and a PhD in Physiology and Pharmacology, both from the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University.
Liraz Kantor
QA/QC
(PhD, MSc)
Liraz Kantor
QA/QC
(PhD, MSc)
Liraz draws on vast experience with QC management and genetic kit development and calibration, all in strict compliance with ISO/GMP 13485 standards. Her expertise also extends to biological chip production and R&D management for genetic testing kits, alongside the development and implementation of effective protocols.
Uri Keler
Director Clinical Development
(MD)
Uri Keler
Director Clinical Development
(MD)
Dr. Uri Keler a seasoned health IT medical professional with strong Product management background. Served as VP of Clinical Development at CLEW Medical. Uri completed his medical degree at the Tel Aviv University and trained as a general surgeon at the Sheba medical center.
Advisors & Consultants
Raphael Mayer
Smart Assays
(PhD)
Raphael Mayer
Smart Assays
(PhD)
The founder and CEO of Smart Assays Biotechnology, Dr. Raphael Mayer has held senior roles in the biotech industry for 30+ years, such as head of the assay development department at Quark Biotechnology Inc. and team leader at InSight Ltd. Raphael’s academic experience includes a postdoctoral fellowship at Rockefeller University, NYC, where he worked on phytochrome signal transduction in Arabidopsis.
Nathan Keller
Sheba Medical Center
(MD, PhD, MBA)
Nathan Keller
Sheba Medical Center
(MD, PhD, MBA)
Dr. Nathan Keller currently serves as deputy chairman of Sheba Medical Center’s ethical review board. He was previously director of the clinical microbiology department. Nathan’s research interests include the epidemiology of infectious diseases and bacterial resistance to antibiotics, among others. He completed his MD studies at Hadassah Medical School and gained a PhD in medical microbiology from Utrecht University.
IIBR
Pearl Cohen IP
Hogan Lovells
FBC & Co.
BDO
Smart Assays
