SimplusDx

Simplified Testing. Powerful Insights.

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About Us

Founded in 2024 as a spinout from Duke University, SimplusDx is dedicated to making point-of-care testing a standard in clinical diagnostics. Our mission is to democratize access to laboratory-grade testing by delivering simple, easy-to-use tests directly to healthcare providers and patients, wherever they are. Our innovative solutions simplify and enhance diagnostic workflows, transforming complex tests into actionable insights. With precise, on-the-spot results, we empower patients and healthcare providers to make immediate, informed decisions that improve health outcomes.

Founding Team

Jake Heggestad, PhD

Chief Executive Officer
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Dr. Jake Heggestad earned his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University, specializing in point-of-care diagnostics for infectious diseases and cancer. During his time at Duke, he published over 10 co-authored research papers and served as a fellow in Duke’s Office for Translation and Commercialization. Before joining SimplusDx, Jake worked as a consultant at L.E.K. Consulting, where he led key workstreams for top pharmaceutical, biotech, diagnostic, and pharma services companies. He holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University.

David Kinnamon, PhD

Chief Technology Officer
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Dr. David Kinnamon earned his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University, where he is an inventor on four patents. He has a strong background in point-of-care diagnostics, with expertise in optical and electrochemical biosensors, microfluidics, injection molding, and microfabrication. He has co-authored 13 original research publications on these topics. David completed both his BS and MS in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas at Dallas, after which he spent two years as a Research Engineer for the University and at a local diagnostics start-up company.

Cassio Fontes, PhD

Chief Scientific Officer
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Dr. Cassio Fontes earned his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University, where he developed an ultrasensitive test for Ebolavirus disease based on the D4 assay platform. His expertise spans diagnostics, molecular biology, antibody engineering, and yeast and phage display. Previously, he founded and served as CEO of a GMP-certified diagnostics company in Brazil, which developed, manufactured and marketed over 80 FDA-approved IVD products.

Board of Directors

Ashutosh Chilkoti, PhD

Co-founder, Chairman
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Dr. Ashutosh Chilkoti is the Alan L. Kaganov Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Duke University, where he leads a research group dedicated to developing biomolecular materials for applications such as bio-separations, biosensors, biomaterials, and targeted drug delivery. A distinguished academic and serial entrepreneur, Dr. Chilkoti has authored over 400 publications and holds more than 70 patents. As the founder of multiple startup companies, he excels at translating groundbreaking academic research into innovative commercial products.

Angus Hucknall, PhD

Co-founder, Director
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Dr. Angus Hucknall is a seasoned scientist and entrepreneur with a proven track record in clinical diagnostics and polymer science. He has co-founded three companies and is the co-inventor of the D4 technology utilized by SimplusDx. With over 30 publications and 10 patents to his name, Angus brings a wealth of expertise to the company. He earned his MS in Materials Science and Engineering from MIT and his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University.

Our Technology

We set out to develop a point-of-care immunoassay platform that can be performed in decentralized locations, while matching the performance of centralized laboratory-based tests. The D4 assay fulfills this goal by delivering rapid, reliable results independent of clinical testing infrastructure. Its unique ‘non-fouling’ synthetic polymer surface minimizes noise from complex samples like whole blood, enabling highly sensitive, accurate, and precise performance.

The D4 Assay

A drop of blood is Dispensed onto the chip, initiating the Dissolution of a fluorescently labeled detection reagent. Following this, the reagent Diffuses and binds to form sandwich complexes with the capture reagent, which are then Detected to quantify the analyte of interest. All of these processes are carried out within a user-friendly cartridge and our handheld analyzer offers a portable solution for obtaining quick, accurate results right at the point-of-care with the push of a button. We are using these assays for a variety of applications, including therapeutic drug monitoring, management of chronic conditions, acute disease screening, and more!

Advantages of our approach

High sensitivity

Detect clinically relevant biomarkers at picomolar concentrations directly from complex samples (e.g., whole blood)

Quantitative readout

Receive quantitative results in seconds, rather than traditional binary readouts from other POCTs

Multiplex compatible

Test for a variety of biomolecules (e.g., proteins, antibodies, small molecules) with a modular and multiplexable test format

Short turnaround time

Assays can be conducted within 30-minutes, giving patients and healthcare providers access to actionable information quickly

User-friendly operation

Automated results with few hands on requirements, easily integrating into clinical workflows and / at home patient testing

Accessible and inexpensive

Analyzer and consumables are shelf-stable and low cost, making it feasible to test in decentralized locations (e.g., at home, clinics)

Scientific Publications

Inkjet-printed point-of-care immunoassay on a nanoscale polymer brush enables subpicomolar detection of analytes in blood

Ultrasensitive point-of-care immunoassay for secreted glycoprotein detects Ebola infection earlier than PCR

Multiplexed, quantitative serological profiling of COVID-19 from blood by a point-of-care test

Rapid test to assess the escape of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

COVID-19 Diagnosis and SARS-CoV-2 Strain Identification by a Rapid, Multiplexed, Point-of-Care Antibody Microarray

Environmentally Resilient Microfluidic Point-of-Care Immunoassay Enables Rapid Diagnosis of Talaromycosis

Cellphone enabled point-of-care assessment of breast tumor cytology and molecular HER2 expression from fine-needle aspirates

In Pursuit of Zero 2.0: Recent Developments in Nonfouling Polymer Brushes for Immunoassays

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News

October 8th, 2025

SimplusDx joining the VentureWell Aspire MedTech Fall 2025 Cohort

SimplusDx was selected as one of 16 teams for the Fall 2025 Aspire Medtech investor-engagement program. The program provides intensive training, investor mentoring, and support to help medtech startups advance fundraising and prepare for due diligence. Read more here.

September 22nd, 2025

SimplusDx selected as a semi-finalist to the NC IDEA SEED grant

We are proud to share that SimplusDx, Inc. was selected as a semi-finalist for the NC IDEA SEED Fall 2025 grant. SimplusDx was among 20 companies selected from a pool of over 175 applications. Read more here.

July 1st, 2025

SimplusDx awarded NIH grant to develop a rapid test for tacrolimus monitoring

SimplusDx has been awarded a highly competitive SBIR grant through the National Institute of Health (NIH) for the development of a rapid, point-of-care test for tacrolimus detection.

Contact Us

To learn more or to get in touch about potential collaborations or partnership opportunities, contact us below or at j.heggestad@simplusdx.com

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