Splash Health 2015 People's Choice Award Winner

Privail, Inc.

Startup/Business

Joined Vator on April 9, 2014

Privail is developing point-of-care (POC) diagnostics for the early detection of infectious diseases, with an initial focus on HIV. Unlike current POC diagnostic methods, which focus on the detection of antibodies or nucleic acids, Privail's proprietary technology directly detects the virus itself and is available in a simple, low-cost and portable device. By getting tested immediately, patients can receive earlier and more effective treatment, and ultimately reduce the spread of disease.

 

The Problem

There is a lack of early HIV identification and treatment. Today, over 54% of the 35 million HIV+ population are unaware of their disease status until symptoms appear, and as a result, are 11 times more likely to die within their first year of infection. This unawareness also increases the risk of spreading HIV. Current diagnostics, which rely on the detection of antibodies or nucleic acids, present barriers to early testing because of their high costs and long window periods. Additionally, in regions such as Africa and India, where more than 80% of the HIV population resides, social stigma associated with getting tested creates an additional barrier.  

 

Privail's Solution

Privail is developing simple, low-cost, and portable POC diagnostics for the detection and monitoring of infectious and inflammatory diseases. Our device will lie at the intersection between a pregnancy test and diabetes test, where all that is required is a small amount of blood from a finger prick, and within minutes, a patient will obtain easy-to-read results in the form of a color output (red or blue) or a digital output (“+” or “-“). Similarly, we will also be providing a laboratory test for hospital/clinical use, where a small patient blood sample can be mixed with Privail’s testing solution, and within minutes, results can be read with standard laboratory equipment. Furthermore, Privail’s proprietary technology is a platform that can be easily adapted for the early detection of a spectrum of diseases. Hence, there is huge future potential to impact the lives of those at risk for common diseases as well as upcoming threats.

 

Global Impact

By providing affordable tests that can be conducted in the privacy of one's home, we set the stage for enhanced health outcomes on a global level. The earlier a disease is detected, the better patients can enhance health outcomes and avoid disease transmission.

Anwaar Al-Zireeni

Joined Vator on December 22, 2014

Anwaar is a two-time graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, with a B.S. and M.Eng. in Bioengineering. An entrepreneur at heart, she invented Privail's technology with the goal of increasing global access to actionable diagnostics.

Missy Krasner

Joined Vator on November 23, 2014

Managing Director of Healthcae & Life Sciences at Box. Formerly EIR at Morgenthaler Ventures on Health IT deals. Formerly at Google on Google Health and ONC/HHS as Advisor to First National Coordinator of Health IT.

Christopher Ategeka

Joined Vator on December 22, 2014

Chris is an engineer, inventor, and entrepreneur at heart. He is 2014 Forbes Magazine 30under30 social-entrepreneurs in the world. Before Privail, he Founded Rides for Lives a successful healthcare social venture. He has a BS & MS from UC Berkeley.

John Steuart

Joined Vator on December 26, 2014

I’ve been managing venture capital funds for more than 15 years, at Alafi Capital, Claremont Creek Ventures and Prolog. M

Garrett Dunham

Joined Vator on December 16, 2014

I founded Prebacked to bridge the chasm between corporate problems and startup solutions. We help startups land their first multi $BN client and find product-market fit in 4 months, rather than 24. Strong advocate for building things that matter.