TAESUN

The Challenge

Dr. Jeanie Chung lost her son Jackson Taesun Leddon to a fentanyl overdose. Instead of retreating into grief, she channeled it into action. She founded TaeSun LLC, named after her son, and set out to build something that could prevent other families from experiencing the same tragedy.

Her vision: a portable, discreet fentanyl testing kit that anyone could use, anywhere, without stigma or complicated steps.

Jeanie had the chemistry background. She had the patent. She had an NIH grant and the backing of Babson's SUD Sprint program. What she didn't have was a design partner who could transform her clunky prototype into something people would actually carry and use.

The top industrial design firms wanted timelines that didn't match her urgency. She needed a team who could move fast, work within startup constraints, and genuinely care about the mission.

That's why she came to us.

Why This Product Matters

For Americans aged 18 to 45, the leading cause of death is fentanyl overdose.

Not car accidents. Not cancer. Fentanyl.

The synthetic opioid is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It's responsible for nearly 70% of the country's 107,000+ drug overdose deaths each year. And it's increasingly found in counterfeit pills sold as Adderall, Xanax, and other common medications. The DEA found that 6 out of 10 fake prescription pills contain a potentially lethal dose.

The people dying aren't just those struggling with addiction. They're college students buying study drugs. They're festival-goers taking what they think is MDMA. They're young people who have no idea what's actually in what they're consuming.

Fentanyl test strips exist, but they're impractical. They require multiple steps, extra materials, precise measurements, and setup that's impossible in a dark club or crowded party. The stigma of pulling out testing equipment in a social setting stops most people from even trying.

TaeSun set out to change that. One device. No extra tools. Discreet enough to carry on a keychain. Simple enough to use while intoxicated.

This is exactly the kind of product the world needs. Not another gadget. A device that keeps people safe.

Our Thinking

The original prototype worked, but it wasn't ready for the real world.

It required an external water vial. The process of crushing, transferring, and testing demanded a level of finesse that was unrealistic for someone at a party, let alone someone who'd been drinking. It looked like lab equipment, not something you'd casually pull from your pocket.

We asked ourselves: How might we design a fentanyl testing device that could be used in safe spaces and reduce social stigma?

Our research confirmed three characteristics that would set TaeSun apart:

Integrated water release. No external vials. No measuring. The water had to be built in and released with a simple action.

Effective crushing. Fentanyl isn't evenly distributed in counterfeit pills. This is called the "chocolate chip cookie" effect. A built-in grinder would ensure thorough mixing before testing.

Consumable sample. Users needed to preserve the substance for use after testing. The device couldn't waste the entire dose.

We also recognized that discretion was non-negotiable. The device needed to look like something familiar, something that wouldn't draw attention. It needed to feel like a vape or a lighter, not a medical instrument.

The Solution

We redesigned TaeSun from the ground up, guided by six design pillars: easy to use, effective crushing, reliable, affordable, compact, and approachable.

Ergonomic, One-Handed Form

The device fits comfortably in the hand at 112mm tall. Every interaction can be completed with one hand, even in low light, even while impaired.

Built-In Grinding System

The twist cap contains an integrated grinder. Users insert a pill, twist repeatedly to crush it, then thread the cap back on. A click confirms the drug-catching chamber is sealed.

Single-Knob Water Release

A 90-degree turn of the knob on the back releases pre-measured water into the chamber. No vials. No guessing. One motion.

Clear Test Strip Window

The embedded fentanyl test strip is visible through a window on the front, with C (control) and T (test) indicators clearly marked. Stand the device upright, wait 3-5 minutes, read the result.

Discreet Aesthetic

Muted colors. Smooth, rounded forms. The device resembles consumer electronics, not medical equipment. It's something you'd see on a nightstand, not in a hospital.

Six-Step User Journey

1. Unthread cap, insert pill
2. Twist cap to crush
3. Thread cap back, hear click
4. Shake to mix drug and water
5. Turn knob to expose strip to solution 6. Stand upright, wait for results

What once required multiple tools, precise measurements, and careful handling now happens in a single pocket-sized device.

The Outcome

The redesigned TaeSun Kit is now moving toward production and real-world impact:

For people:

• A testing device simple enough to use while impaired
• Discreet enough to carry without stigma
• A chance to know what they're consuming before it's too late

For harm reduction:

• A tool that meets people where they are with a new standard for portable drug checking
• Distribution-ready for organizations, universities, and festivals

For the founders:

• A design ready for manufacturing
• Currently in testing with Brown University
• Applied for additional NIH grant funding
• Submitted for Red Dot Design Award consideration

Why We Took This Project

Jeanie and Alec weren't building a product to make money. They were building it because Jeanie lost her son and Alec lost his brother. They wanted to make sure other families don't have to experience what they did.

"I was lost for a while, but this has given me a sense of purpose," Alec told Babson. "Taking a horrible situation and helping others avoid the same pain is what keeps me going."

That's the work we exist to do.

The world doesn't need more disposable gadgets. It needs products that keep people safe. The TaeSun Kit does exactly that. We were proud to help bring it to life.