MicroFlow Innovation Ltd., a dynamic enterprise born from the innovative research of Dr. Kangning Ren at Hong Kong Baptist University, is dedicated to transforming the landscape of point-of-care tests (POCTs) and advancing the study of drug-resistant bacteria through state-of-the-art microfluidic technologies. Our mission is to commercialize novel rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) platforms, poised to offer groundbreaking solutions in the critical sectors of healthcare, food safety, and environmental monitoring.

At the heart of our product portfolio are two revolutionary pipelines: the “barcode” cell sensor microfluidic AST platform and the hydrogel-based microfluidic AST platform. The “barcode” cell sensor, a demonstration of our innovation, utilizes an adaptive linear filter to directly visualize bacterial counts via a smartphone interface. This platform is not only rapid and easy to use but also provides a reliable, affordable, and resource-independent tool for mass screening, particularly vital in clinical, food safety, environmental monitoring, and managing pandemic outbreaks. The hydrogel-based microfluidic AST platform, on the other hand, capitalizes on the biocompatibility of hydrogels to facilitate polymicrobial AST with drug combinations. Its ability to perform simultaneous bacterial identification and AST addresses a critical need in clinical and research settings, offering a solution to the traditionally lengthy AST processes. Additionally, this platform is designed to be compatible with downstream molecular and optical analyses, providing a wealth of information for users.