Our Story

A Call to Action

Following requests for help with prion diagnostics from the Minnesota State Legislature in 2018, Priogen's founding team established the Minnesota Center for Prion Research and Outreach (MNPRO) in 2019 at the University of Minnesota. They subsequently raised over $12 million USD in grant funds to support prion diagnostics R&D.

Rapid Innovation

After a series of major discoveries in MNPRO, the founding team spun-out Priogen from the University of Minnesota in 2022, specializing in next-generation prion diagnostics. Priogen's innovative team includes experts in molecular biology, public health, biosecurity, wildlife biology, nanotechnology, and startups.

Growing Momentum

In 2023, Priogen established an immediate revenue stream by offering diagnostic services for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a multi-billion USD threat to the North American economy. The company has since expanded its service offerings and launched molecular reagent sales. Future offerings include hardware and software diagnostic solutions, including portable point-of-care assays.

Our Logo

Prion detection with next-generation technologies

1) We leverage nanoparticles for improving diagnostic reaction kinetics as well as for visual diagnostic readouts. Nanoparticles are central to our Nano-QuIC™ and MN-QuIC™ technologies.

2) Misfolded proteins involved in Chronic Wasting Disease and Parkinson's Disease are enriched with beta sheets. Scientists use arrowed ribbons to visualize protein beta sheets.

3) Our Micro-QuIC™ technology leverages sound waves to perform microfluidic mixing for protein-seeded amplification, improving reaction kinetics by orders of magnitude and allowing for portable assays.