ABOUT
The XCR Diagnostics Story
Innovating Molecular Diagnostics for the Next Generation
XCR Diagnostics, Inc. (XCRDx) was founded in April, 2015 with the goal of developing and delivering a simple, easy to use system to the molecular diagnostic near patient testing market. We started with the patented XCR® chemistry and initially developed a hand-held instrument around our XCR® chemistry that utilized the camera on a mobile telephone to detect fluorescence signal generated via amplification in real time. Our latest generation system, a portable bench-top system, can accurately detect pathogens from clinical specimens in as few as 7 minutes. We are in the process of developing test units of our Pyramid, portable Nucleic Acid Testing System for an upcoming FDA Clinical Trial and CE-IVD marking.
XCRDx recognizes the need for a user-friendly consumable to accompany the instrument. Therefore, we initiated development of a fully integrated, Sample Delivery System (SDS) in parallel with the instrument development. One of the key benefits of the XCR® chemistry is its robust resistance to standard amplification inhibitors, as compared to other amplification technologies, which enabled us to create a consumable allowing a multiple patient specimen types to be placed directly into the Pyramid instrument.
The Pyramid system powered by XCR® enables us to introduce a paradigm changing approach to nucleic acid testing. We are nearing the completed solution and look forward to bringing the next generation of molecular diagnostic testing to the laboratory and Near Patient testing environment. The Pyramid system and SDS are designed to provide clinicians faster results allowing molecular diagnostics to be come an important part of the patient treatment pathway.
Our Mission
Significantly improve the quality of human lives by combining our patented Xtreme Chain Reaction (XCR®) RNA/DNA amplification chemistry with a simple, affordable device for worldwide near patient diagnostic testing.
Executive Team
Mark Powelson,
President & CEO
President & CEO
Mr. Powelson has been involved in medical, biotech and diagnostic markets for 30 years. He joined XCR Diagnostics in May of 2015 as COO and was elevated by the Board to Director and Chief Executive Officer in April of 2016. Mr. Powelson previously held roles with large multinational companies as well as smaller entrepreneurial start up organizations. His experience includes sales, marketing, operations, project management, fund raising, business development, turn around operations and restarts as well as new product development and introductions to both domestic and international life sciences markets. Mr. Powelson served as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for HandyLab, Inc. Prior to his position with HandyLab, Mr. Powelson served as Gen-Probe’s Vice President of Worldwide Sales. Powelson holds a Master in Executive Leadership from the University of San Diego and a BA in business, minor in Accounting from Otterbein College.
Brian Caplin, PhD,
CSO
CSO
Dr. Caplin is the founder of Fluoresentric, Inc. and inventor of XCR® chemistry. He holds a bachelor degree from Wabash College and a doctorate in the field of biochemistry and molecular biology from Indiana University School of Medicine. He has over 20 years’ experience in the development of methodologies related to the detection and manipulation of specific genetic targets. His industrial experience includes developing and implementing the manufacture of oligonucleotides used in Roche LightCycler and other real-time PCR instruments. Dr. Caplin has maintained an active research effort, resulting in novel molecular diagnostic approaches to nucleic acid amplification and drug resistance screening.
Geoffrey A. McKinley, PhD,
Vice President of Clinical Development
Vice President of Clinical Development
Geoffrey A. McKinley, Ph.D. has been involved in medical diagnostics for over 35 years. He joined XCR Diagnostics in April of 2020 as Vice President of Clinical Development. Dr. McKinley previously held roles and responsibilities with a large multinational bioMérieux as well as smaller entrepreneurial start up organizations including Osmetech, GenMark Dx, GenturaDx, AdvanDx and First Light Diagnostics. His experience has been focused on Product Development from research to regulatory clearance and includes R&D, Business Development, Program Management, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory and Intellectual Property in a variety of roles. Dr. McKinley is an author on 14 U.S. patents and holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology from Colorado State University.
Diraviam Kannan Thirugnanam,
Vice President, Operational Development
Vice President, Operational Development
TDK is a results-oriented Technology Leader with over 26 year of experience in strategic Technology Management, Quality Assurance & Regulatory Affairs (QARA) and Program Management. He joined XCR Diagnostics in May, 2018 from Perfint Healthcare where he served as the Director, QARA, focusing on engineering, quality and regulatory aspects of their Planning & Targeting Product solutions. TDK holds an MS in Regulatory Affairs from George Washington University and a BE in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Birla Institute of Technology and Science.
Board of Directors
Mark Powelson
Mr. Powelson has been involved in medical, biotech and diagnostic markets for 30 years. He joined XCR Diagnostics in May of 2015 as COO and was elevated by the Board to Director and Chief Executive Officer in April of 2016. Mr. Powelson previously held roles with large multinational companies as well as smaller entrepreneurial start up organizations. His experience includes sales, marketing, operations, project management, fund raising, business development, turn around operations and restarts as well as new product development and introductions to both domestic and international life sciences markets. Mr. Powelson served as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for HandyLab, Inc. Prior to his position with HandyLab, Mr. Powelson served as Gen-Probe’s Vice President of Worldwide Sales. Powelson holds a Master in Executive Leadership from the University of San Diego and a BA in business, minor in Accounting from Otterbein College.
Brian Caplin, PhD
Dr. Caplin is the founder of Fluoresentric, Inc. and inventor of XCR chemistry. He holds a bachelor degree from Wabash College and a doctorate in the field of biochemistry and molecular biology from Indiana University School of Medicine. He has over 20 years’ experience in the development of methodologies related to the detection and manipulation of specific genetic targets. His industrial experience includes developing and implementing the manufacture of oligonucleotides used in Roche LightCycler and other real-time PCR instruments. Dr. Caplin has maintained an active research effort, resulting in novel molecular diagnostic approaches to nucleic acid amplification and drug resistance screening.
Mark Bagnall,
Chairman
Chairman
Mark Bagnall is chief operating officer, co-founder and a member of the Board of Directors of Naia Limited, an international drug development company. He has held senior management positions in the biotechnology industry for more than 20 years. Prior to founding Naia, he served as president, chief executive officer and a member of the Board of Directors of GenturaDx until its sale to Luminex Corporation. Before joining GenturaDx, Mr. Bagnall was executive vice president and a member of the Board of ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals. Prior to ADVENTRX, he was chief financial officer of several public and private biotechnology companies where he managed public and private financings and completed several licensing transactions and mergers. Mr. Bagnall serves on the Board of Directors of Ativa Medical Corporation. Previously, he was one of the founders of the Association of Bioscience Financial Officers, an international organization of lifescience CFOs. Bagnall is a CPA and started his career in the high technology/biotechnology practice of Ernst & Young. Bagnall holds degrees from UC Berkeley Business School (now Haas School of Business). B.S., Business Administration. Phi Beta Kappa. 1979 California CPA, 1982.
Lynda Merrill
Global life sciences Senior Executive Lynda A. Merrill has built her 30+ year career legacy through her multi-national business skills in driving profitability and shareholder value. Merrill is currently a U.S. based strategic and tactical consultant focusing on pre-market and early market companies. She previously held roles with large multinational companies and smaller domestically based organizations, both private and public. Merrill’s experience includes living in and managing organizations in the United Kingdom, Europe, and total World for four companies – QIAGEN, Boehringer Mannheim, Gen-Probe and IDS. She was a member of the Senior Executive team that successfully took Gen-Probe from private to public company status in 2002. Lynda held a number of roles at Gen-Probe, including Vice President for Industrial Relationships and Vice President of World Wide Marketing and Sales. She successfully implemented global marketing and pricing strategies and grew product revenues from $96MM to $223MM in 2003. Education: University of Sussex, United Kingdom B.S., Medical Technology, Palm Beach Atlantic College, Palm Beach, FL, MBA.
J. Chuck Morrison
Chuck is a Global Business Development Executive with a successful track record negotiating and executing acquisitions, licensing deals, partnerships, and distribution deals. Chuck has 40 years of experience in Life Science, Biotechnology and Diagnostics and currently acts as an independent consultant providing business development and management expertise to small biotech companies. Chuck was a Board member for GenePOC Inc. and was instrumental in its acquisition by Meridian Bioscience. Prior to consulting, Chuck was the Director of Business Development at PerkinElmer. He managed numerous acquisitions which drove the strategic growth of PerkinElmer’s Life Science and Diagnostic businesses. Chuck holds a BA in Chemistry from the College of the Holy Cross and and MBA in Finance and Marketing from Boston University.
Matt Gersper
Mr. Gersper graduated from the University of California – Davis where he studied Economics, ran track, and played football. Mr. Gersper dedicated his first two years after college to becoming a professional athlete, only to come up short with the unique distinction of being cut from three different teams, in three different leagues: Canadian, USFL, and NFL. Over the next 30 years, he focused on training himself to become a successful businessman. Mr. Gersper was given many opportunities to learn and gain expertise in the various functions required to start, grow, and lead successful businesses. Gersper has now shifted his focus from helping businesses to helping people. On January 16, 2014, he sold his previous company and dedicate his time and resources to researching and sharing best practices for happy living. He writes to inspire others to believe that a better self is always possible – today, every day, for the rest of their lives. At Happy Living, we are on a mission to improve the health and wellbeing of the world, one person at a time.
Bruce Chafin
Mr. Chafin was Senior VP Compliance and Ethics Vanguard Health Systems. 1998-2013. Vice President Compliance and Ethics ORNDA Health Systems 1995-1998. Senior Investigator Energy and Commerce Committee Oversight and Investigative Subcommittee, U.S. House of Representatives 1985-1995. Auditor General Accounting Office 1980-1985. Education: MBA University of Florida 1978-1979. BSBA University of Florida 1974-1977.
Our Awards
2015 Utah Innovation Award
Best in Bio-Tech/Life Science
Best in Bio-Tech/Life Science
2015 Molecular Medicine Tri Conference Most Promising Company
Utah Business Magazine
Healthcare Hero
Healthcare Hero