Next generation graphene biosensors enabling lab quality diagnostics ...
at home

GRIP's patented enhanced-graphene platform offers:

The GRIP biosensor sits at the interface of molecular biology and solid state electronics

Next Generation Diagnostics

Breakthrough Technology

GRIP takes a completely different approach to diagnostics by replacing chemical assays with graphene-enabled and dielectrophoresis enhanced solid state electronics. Our solution overcomes the inherent shortcomings of existing chemistry-based solutions to deliver actionable medical diagnostic information when and where it matters most – at the point-of-need (home, eldercare facility, retail pharmacy, etc.)

Clinical value

GRIP’s technology provides actionable medical diagnostic information for multiple diseases in minutes with a single test. This will provide both patients and their physicians access to the information they need to make rapid and fact-based therapy decisions, often without the need for a trip to the clinic.

Easy to use

GRIP is designed for use in the home, eldercare facility or pharmacy. Detection of multiple diseases can be accomplished with a single saliva sample.

Connected

GRIP’s biosensor wirelessly transmits the data to a standard cell phone or other mobile device where is it displayed. No electric cables or separate readers are required. With the touch of a button the test results can be securely sent to a healthcare provider to support virtual telehealth or in-clinic interaction.

Michael Osterholm PhD, MHP University of Minnesota Regents Professor, McKnight Presidential Endowed Chair in Public Health; Author; Clinical Advisor, GRIP Molecular

“There is a need for bio-electric diagnostic platform technology with the ability to detect multiple diseases and detect both the active infection and the host response in a single sample. This technology would position the healthcare system to respond differently to a future pandemic situation. The GRIP team and their UMN collaborators are working to develop this innovative diagnostic technology.”

-Michael Osterholm

GRIP Partners

At home diagnostics

GRIP Story

GRIP is a Minnesota-based molecular diagnostics company developing a proprietary and patented electronic biosensor that can quickly and accurately detect a wide array of biomarkers in a single test. The Company was founded with the mission of providing lab grade diagnostic results at the point-of-need (e.g. home, eldercare facility, pharmacy). 

Based on years of research in the field, the founder, Bruce Batten, PhD, realized that diagnostic technologies today were not ideal for remote disease diagnostic purposes due to their inherent reliance on chemistry-based sample preparation steps. Graphene-based electronic field-effect transistors held great promise due to their diagnostic accuracy and non-reliance on chemistry-based sample preparation, but the time to result was too slow and scale-up challenges stood in the way of mass production. When solutions to these challenges were identified via patented technologies at the University of Minnesota, GRIP Molecular was founded in late 2019.

Since then, a highly experienced management and technical team has been assembled and great progress has been made to demonstrate proof-of-concept of the GRIP biosensor and to drive it toward successful commercialization in 2023. GRIP’s first product will address a combination of Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) diseases, such as COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. Subsequent products will be introduced in rapid succession based upon areas of greatest unmet need.

"Improving health through better diagnostics"

Core Values

Integrity

We strive to be worthy of trust by always doing what’s right, in the right way, right away.

Accountability

We plan and implement with energy and steadfast resolve. We recognize, reward, and hold ourselves, our colleagues, and our partners accountable for the intent and impact of our and their communications and actions.

Leadership

We endeavor to lead in delivering innovative diagnostic solutions in a manner that yields significant societal benefit, employee satisfaction and investor returns in an environmentally responsible manner.

Respect

We treat all others respectfully, fairly, and empathetically. We value teamwork and diversity and the variety of perspectives it brings.

Balance

We seek a balanced, considered, and well-reasoned approach to business matters and relationships.

 

"Our actions will speak louder than our words."

Company Status

The Company has successfully raised funds to complete proof-of-concept experiments, gain exclusive rights to the underlying IP, activate its research facility, sponsor research activities at the University of Minnesota and retain an experienced management team.  It is currently raising funds via a Convertible Note to further these activities. Discussions are underway with various venture capital groups to enter into Series A financing to complete product development and prepare regulatory submissions – 510(k) in the US.  GRIP’s first product will address Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) and is targeted for launch in 2027. Subsequent products will be introduced in rapid succession to address areas of greatest unmet need and commercial opportunity.

Call us at 201-783-9355 or send us an email to learn more.

Want to learn more?

(questions, partnering, collaborating, investors, vendors, pitch-deck, other)
University Enterprise Labs 1000 Westgate Drive  Suite 122 Saint Paul, MN 55114
201-783-9355
GRIP 2.0

Stasia Ogden, JD

Stasia Ogden recently joined GRIP in a General Counsel role with a particular expertise in Intellectual Property Law.  Stasia has over 20 years as a practicing attorney in law firms and major multi-national corporations and 9 years with Baxter Healthcare Corporation and 4 years with BD.  Her focus on healthcare industry global IP strategy, transactions, licensing, litigation and global portfolio management will help GRIP navigate global IP issues and maximize existing rights to 3+ patent families that provide the foundation for GRIP’s novel electronic biosensor.  Stasia has a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University, an MBA from University of Missouri – St. Louis, and a BA in Biochemistry from Northwestern University in Chicago.

Michael Osterholm PhD

University of Minnesota Regents Professor 
  • McKnight Presidential Endowed Chair in Public Health 
  • Author
  • University of Minnesota
  • Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP)
  • Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Technological Leadership Institute, College of Science and Engineering,
  • Medical School – Adjunct Professor
  • Science Envoy for Health Security on behalf of the US Department of State 2018-19
  • Numerous national/global Advisory Board appointments on Biosecurity, Health Research and Pandemics

Steven Koester PhD

Professor Electrical & Computer Engineering
University of Minnesota

Research Areas:

  • Graphene Biosensors
  • Biomedical & Biological Computational Methods
  • Energy Systems & Power Electronics
  • Micro and Nano structures 

Michael McAlpine, PhD

Professor Mechanical Engineering University of Minnesota

Research Areas:

  • 3D printing functional materials & devices
  • Advanced manufacturing using nanoscale inks
  • Biomedical devices
  • Bioelectronics

Edward Ludwig

  • 45+years of senior executive medical industry leadership experience
  •   Numerous Board roles, including with; Boston Scientific, CVS, Aetna, AdvaMed (Chairman), Johns Hopkins Michael Bloomberg School of Public Health, Hackensack University Medical Center, College of Holy Cross, Columbia Business School, The Center for Higher Ambition Leadership 
  • MBA – Columbia University

Laurie Knutson MBA

Vice President of Marketing

Laurie Knutson is GRIP’s VP of Marketing.  She bring over 30 years of healthcare strategy, product development and systems transformation experience across Fortune 50 to pre-revenue companies. Laurie has held C-level roles healthcare services, products, insurance, financial services and consulting, and was founder or C-level at 4 tech startups.  Laurie’s focus on commercializing products in the healthcare sector is based on her unique ability to assess the market and product adoption variables in areas of unmet needs. Laurie also has 10+ years analytics with care model development for seniors, commercial and vulnerable populations.  Laurie has her MBA in Finance from the University of Minnesota and her BA in Biology from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota.

Richard G Minicus MBA, MS

Rich Minicus is seasoned Chief Financial Officer with over 30 years in M&A, venture capital investment, and capital markets transactions. Rich brings 21 years in medical technology business development with Becton Dickinson, BD Ventures, and Pfizer which has enabled GRIP to quickly formulate a detailed financial plan beyond what most startups provide to investors. Rich also has 9 years in finance with Merrill Lynch Capital Markets, ML Venture Capital, and JP Morgan. Rich earned his MBA at Harvard Business School, and holds a MS in Biology from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Caroline Popper

Caroline Popper, MD is the Co-Founder and President, Popper & Co. healthcare consultancy. Caroline has the perfect combination of 30 years’ experience in medical diagnostics and drug discovery, combined with extensive direct clinical experience. She has held many senior managerial and advisory positions with numerous global diagnostics companies, including BD, bioMérieux and MDS Proteomics. Caroline was also an attending physician at the Department of Emergency Medicine at Baltimore’s Johns Hopkins Hospital, where she completed residencies in internal medicine and pathology.

Edward Gillan

CEO, CCO

Ed Gillen is GRIP’s CEO and brings over 30 years medical device industry experience, including point-of-care diagnostics.  Ed enjoyed a successful 23-year career at Becton Dickinson (BD) holding many positions globally including WW Senior Director – Strategy & Business Development – Diabetes Care Division, Global VP/GM – Surgical and Anesthesia Systems ($200M P&L), Advanced Drug Delivery, Global Business Leader – Vaccine Delivery.  Ed’s startup experience includes his most recent role as CEO Medality Medical. Ed has his MBA from Penn State University.

disease diagnosis Grip molecular

Bruce Batten

Founder/Chairman/President

Bruce Batten has been founder / CEO of four technology startups including C-level roles at Thermo Instruments, CyberOptics and Advantek. Bruce started his career in Academia earning a Ph.D. in Anatomy & Cell Biology at the Medical College of Virginia, post-doctoral work at Harvard Medical School. He was Faculty member at Harvard, Tufts and The Ohio State medical schools and later ran the MBA Program at Augsburg University. Bruce has over 10 years of molecular diagnostic development, including detailed work on a POC Zika virus assay. Bruce founded GRIP Molecular to commercialize breakthrough solid state bioelectronic technology that will disrupt the diagnostic industry and empower consumers and doctors with fast, accurate and comprehensive information.