EazeBio and UC Santa Cruz will co-develop a cortisol biosensor for stress and metabolic health testing
EazeBio has formed a strategic partnership with the University of California, Santa Cruz (UC Santa Cruz) to enhance and commercialise an instrument-free diagnostic platform. The collaboration will co-develop a cortisol biosensor for stress and metabolic health testing. The two are set out to advance the development of next-generation, lab-independent testing for global health applications.
EazeBio and UC Santa Cruz aim to address some of the world’s most critical health challenges by concentrating on translating academic breakthroughs into real-world solutions, enabling earlier detection, faster treatment, and better health outcomes.
Reem Mahrat, CEO and founder of EazeBio, said, “At EazeBio, we are committed to transforming the way diagnostics reach people. Our partnership with UC Santa Cruz brings together world-class science and mission-driven innovation to create a platform built not just for performance, but for global health equity. This latest technology brings the lab to the patient, not the other way around.”
The platform combines innovative detection chemistry with luminescent biosensors, modular assay design, and AI-guided interpretation. It’s designed for speed, affordability, and accessibility, and does not require instrumentation, specialised training, or refrigeration.
Developed to be deployed in the real world, in high-resource and underserved settings, the system can be customised for multiple applications, including:
- Viral outbreak response
- Hormonal monitoring
- Antimicrobial resistance
- Biothreat and emergency response in public health scenarios
- Cancer biomarker detection for early-stage screening
Andy Yeh, assistant professor of biomolecular engineering at the UC Santa Cruz Baskin School of Engineering, said, “My group is developing lab prototypes with real translational potential, and it’s deeply rewarding to hear from patients who need these sensors to improve their health. AI-based protein design now lets us tackle questions once thought impossible, and I’m excited to see EazeBio translating this technology and driving progress toward making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.”
Dr Belal Abdallah, MD, MBA, CPE and clinical advisor at EazeBio, said, “As a clinician and CEO of an accountable care organisation, I’ve seen firsthand how diagnostic delays exacerbate health disparities. EazeBio’s instrument-free platform, born from this groundbreaking UC Santa Cruz collaboration, flips the script, bringing precision medicine to the patient’s doorstep with speed, affordability, and equity. This isn’t just a tool; it’s a catalyst for reimagining accountable care in the 21st century.”
