The award was made under the Biotechnology Center’s Strategic Growth Loan (SGL) program, which helps promising North Carolina companies succeed in the challenging startup process.
Ridge Diagnostics is a great example of why the loans from the North Carolina Biotechnology Center are so important, said John Richert, vice president for business and technology development at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center.
This is the second SGL awarded to Ridge Diagnostics. The company is preparing to launch its multi-analyte blood test for diagnosing clinical depression and monitoring its therapy. The MDDScore provides objective, biological information associated with physiological changes caused by the condition. The test will be used by physicians to augment traditional diagnostic tools such as behavioral questionnaires and clinical assessments.
Ridge Diagnostics, once again, would like to thank the NC Biotechnology Center for their ongoing support of the company, said Stan Sewitch, chief executive officer. By preparing our laboratory for commercial expansion, this Strategic Growth Loan allows us to offer our Clinical Experience Program to physicians and patients in North Carolina and other select areas of the United States.
The Ridge Clinical Experience Program, slated to begin in September, will enable practicing physicians to experience the benefits of the test as an aid in the diagnosis and management of patients with depression.