Why Are Vector-Borne Infections Still So Difficult to Diagnose?

In this episode of Diagnosing Dx, David Filby is joined by Nicole Bell, CEO of Galaxy Diagnostics. Nicole’s route into vector-borne disease diagnostics is deeply personal. After her husband was initially diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, she continued searching for answers and later discovered he had Lyme disease alongside Babesia and Bartonella infections. That experience led Nicole to Galaxy Diagnostics, where the company is working to improve direct detection of vector-borne infections using approaches including urine antigen testing and high-sensitivity PCR. Nicole discusses why these infections are so difficult to diagnose, how outdated and antibody-based testing can leave patients without clear answers, and Galaxy’s plans to take its Lyme urine antigen test through clinical studies towards FDA submission. **Key takeaways:** 🔹 Why Lyme, Bartonella and Babesia can be particularly difficult to detect 🔹 The limitations of relying on antibody testing for active infection 🔹 Why vector-borne disease exposure extends far beyond obvious tick bites 🔹 How Galaxy Diagnostics is approaching direct pathogen detection 🔹 The company’s path towards FDA approval, reimbursement and broader adoption **Chapters:** 00:57 Introduction and Nicole Bell’s background 02:43 The personal story behind Nicole’s move into vector-borne diagnostics 08:17 Why vector-borne infections are so difficult to diagnose 13:28 Galaxy Diagnostics and its direct detection approach 17:22 How widespread is the vector-borne disease problem? 22:05 Commercialisation, clinical studies and the path to FDA approval 27:13 Raising a Series A in a difficult diagnostics market 31:31 Upcoming milestones and the future of diagnostics **Guest: Nicole Bell** CEO, Galaxy Diagnostics LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoledaniellebell/ Learn more about Galaxy Diagnostics: https://www.galaxydx.com/ **Host: David Filby** Founder and CEO of Elevra Consulting LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidfilby/ 🔔 Subscribe to Diagnosing Dx for weekly conversations with leaders shaping the future of diagnostics and omics.