Scanogen is a biotechnology and medical device start-up developing Single Molecule Scanning, a proprietary technology for rapid and ultra-sensitive detection of biomolecules. Scanogen is using this technology to develop point of care tests that will improve health care by providing easy and inexpensive access to the genetic information present in patient samples. The company is focused on three areas: point-of-care detection of infectious diseases, drug resistance detection and early cancer detection. The firm's core technology, Single Molecule Scanning, uses biosensors that consist of DNA molecules and micron-sized particles to convert nucleic acid hybridization into a mechanical signal which can be detected using standard semiconductor technology. In addition, the bound target is subjected to a disrupting force which allows for rapid detection with extremely low background noise.