SQI Diagnostics Inc. (TSX-V: SQD) (OTCQB: SQIDF), a life sciences and diagnostics company that develops and commercializes proprietary technologies and products for advanced microarray diagnostics today announces the launch of the imaware™ at-home test for celiac disease by its partner, Microdrop. imaware™ is a pioneering at-home health testing platform that focuses on patient empowerment by providing accurate and actionable at-home disease screening. As of today, the imaware™ at-home test for celiac disease developed alongside Microdrop is available for purchase, with several other disease tests planned for the coming months.

“We are excited to play such an important role in Microdrop’s imaware™ product launch,” said Andrew Morris, CEO of SQI Diagnostics. “Direct-to-consumer testing is an up-and-coming, crucial piece of the diagnostics market’s future, and partnering with Microdrop positions SQI to take a commanding lead in being the lab-testing technology of choice for the DTC market. The DTC market is expected to reach $350 million in 2020, and SQI has intentions to play a major role in this new space with Microdrop and their imaware™ platform as its centerpiece.”

Run on SQI’s automated systems, the imaware™ at-home test for celiac disease addresses a current unmet need in the market today. Celiac disease currently affects over 3 million Americans, yet over 60% of those affected remain undiagnosed. It currently takes the average patient more than 4 years from recognizing initial symptoms to receive a celiac disease diagnosis, and that makes it difficult to make the necessary lifestyle changes to reduce potential damage. The effectiveness of imaware™ has been validated by top opinion leaders and celiac disease medical doctors.  imaware™ has also partnered with Beyond Celiac, a leading national celiac disease advocacy group, to help reduce the number of undiagnosed patients.

“SQI was the perfect partner for us, both in their depth of knowledge of the diagnostics and health space, and because of the potential of their platform” said Nicholas Olteanu, Chief Executive Officer for Microdrop. “SQI shares in the imaware™ mission to empower patients with the ability to accurately screen for diseases from the comfort of their own home. Removing existing barriers to disease testing increases the likelihood of early detection and diagnosis dramatically, and earlier medical diagnosis allows for health and lifestyle adjustments that can significantly improve quality of life.”

In addition to celiac disease, imaware™ will release an at-home test for rheumatoid arthritis run on the SQI platform, with additional tests launching throughout 2019. 

The imaware™ at-home test for celiac-disease is now shipping to consumers and can be purchased online at imaware.health.

About imaware™

imaware™ is a digital platform that allows patients to order an at-home testing kit online, and mail back their sample for lab processing. The tests are processed by a CLIA certified laboratory and results are available to patients within 72 hours. The accurate online results empower patients to take control of their health and share these results with their doctor. For more information, please visit imaware.health

About SQI Diagnostics

SQI Diagnostics is a life sciences and diagnostics company that develops clinical grade multiplexed microarray and molecular assays run on its automated instrumentation for the pharmaceutical research, animal health, and clinical diagnostics markets. SQI develops custom research and diagnostic assays that are multiplexed; meaning the simplification, consolidation and automation of many individual tests into one. This increases sample throughput, reduces time, cost and chance for human error, and provides excellent data quality.