Takashi Ono
Member of the Managing Board and Senior Executive Officer, Managing Director of Sysmex Corporation
Professor Carles Alonso-Tarrés
Head of microbiology laboratory, Fundació Puigvert, Barcelona, Spain
Professor Dame Sally Davies
Master of Trinity College
The Sysmex PA-100 AST System reduces the time for UTI diagnosis to just 15 minutes and determines optimal antibiotics within 30 minutes.
Sysmex’s PA-100 AST System is redefining the standard of care for diagnosing and treating uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs). By combining cutting-edge nanofluidic technology with rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), the system delivers actionable results within 45 minutes — eliminating delays associated with traditional laboratory testing. In clinical settings, this advancement enables healthcare professionals to make timely, evidence-based decisions, improving patient outcomes.
Tackling UTIs with precision
UTIs are among the most common bacterial infections, affecting over 400 million people worldwide annually. Delays in diagnosis and reliance on empirical antibiotic treatments often lead to suboptimal outcomes, secondary infections and increased antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Sysmex’s PA-100 AST System bridges this gap with reported sensitivity (84%) and specificity (99%), ensuring timely and precise care while reducing reliance on broad-spectrum antibiotics — a critical step in slowing the rise of AMR.
UTIs are among the most common bacterial
infections, affecting over 400 million
people worldwide annually.
Faster insights and lower healthcare costs
Dr Carles Alonso-Tarrés, head of microbiology laboratory, at Fundació Puigvert, Barcelona, Spain , says: “The idea behind the technology of the PA-100 is like a dream for microbiologists and infectologists: knowing the real resistance profile of a bacterial strain immediately.”
A recently published analysis suggests potential healthcare savings based on modelled projections in Spain. Recent budget impact modelling suggests that implementing the PA-100 AST System in Spanish public healthcare settings could contribute to cost efficiencies in UTI management.
The analysis projects potential savings of approximately €323 million in the first year — assuming 100% adoption — with projections indicating cumulative cost reductions over three years. These stem from anticipated reductions in secondary complications, hospital admissions and indirect costs such as productivity losses.
Reshaping approaches to AMR globally
Beyond its economic and clinical utility, the system’s achievements have been widely recognised. Last year, the PA-100 AST System was awarded the Longitude Prize, an £8 million award dedicated to innovations addressing AMR. This accolade underscores the system’s capacity to enhance patient outcomes and mitigate the global AMR crisis.
Professor Dame Sally Davies, Master of Trinity College, shares: “I was the instigator in the Longitude Prize of making the challenge around a rapid diagnostic to reduce AMR. I was absolutely delighted when, a decade later, this rapid diagnostic came out because it looks to me as if it is not only innovative but can make a big difference to patients.”
Takashi Ono, Member of the Managing Board and Senior Executive Officer, Managing Director of Sysmex Corporation, comments: “By addressing one of the leading causes of antibiotic misuse, Sysmex’s PA-100 AST System aligns perfectly with global efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance. The system empowers healthcare providers with the data needed to make the right decision at the right time, benefitting patients and public health alike.”
