Anagnostics smart multiplex diagnostics sets new standards

Dr. Bernhard Ronacher, CTO of Anagnostics Bioanalysis GmbH: „Our aim is to serve an ongoing trend and to establish our multiplex diagnostics technology as a future standard in laboratories around the globe.“

Hybcell Technology has potential to become global standard
To conduct an analysis a biological sample is filled into the patented hybcell. Several hybcells (samples) are transferred into the device – called hyborg. hyborg is a fully automated robot, processing one hybcell after the other and delivering hundreds of results for a single sample (e.g. presence of bacteria, viruses, genes, antibodies...).

"Our technological advance is based on precise, quick and cost-efficient results. Patients are benefiting especially from the time-saving nature of our technology. In extreme cases physicians need an answer to their questions as soon as possible to start targeted therapy and to safe lives“, explains Ronacher.

Quick results safes lives

 The following example illustrates how essential quick results can be. A total of 1,5 million people worldwide contract an acute hospital infection (sepsis) each year, from the direct consequences of which half (750,000 people) die – more than are killed by breast cancer and colon cancer combined.

Conventional microbiology analyses patient's blood by adding a nutrient solution to the sample and allowing it to grow. After at least 48 hours the results are visible under the microscope – often 48 hours too late.

Anagnostics’ hybcell technology will provide the result within 2 hours and reduce mortality rates drastically.

Increase of efficiency in laboratories

hybcell's ease of usage is of great significance. Only a single, simple processing step is necessary: filling in sample into hybcell. As a consequence a totally automated multiplex diagnostics technology is available for the first time. Such simplified handling reduces cost and increases efficiency. Automation eliminates risk of user errors, for example mix-ups that account for 4 to 7 % of total samples.

Focus in 2009 is market build-up

Anagnostics' target groups are researchers within the field of drug discovery on the one hand and clinical laboratories on the other. At this stage of progress first serial devices are tested in-house and at customer sites. In early 2009 two early stage investors, tecnet equity and PP Capital, have joined to support market build-up.

Mag. Christoph Reschreiter, CEO of Anagnostics Bioanalysis GmbH: „A total investment of  € 3 million is made for the market build-up in German speaking countries within the next one and a half years. Furthermore we will ramp up production and diversify our product portfolio.“

In summer 2009 first placements should take place. „Our objective for  2009 is the sale of a significant number of hyborgs in German speaking countries. Till mid 2011 distribution will be expanded to all European countries with noticeable life science industries“, says Reschreiter.

Company profile

After first steps within the incubator programme „tech2b“ of Upper Austria's provincial government Anagnostics was founded in 2005 by Bernhard Ronacher and Christoph Reschreiter. Development of technology was funded by Austria's Research Funding Agency  (Österreichische Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft) and Austria's Economic Promotion Agency (Austria Wirtschaftsservice).
Anagnostics is holder of several patents and was awarded the Upper Austrian Innovation Prize in 2006 and the Rudolf Trauner Prize in 2007. As per February 2009 a team of six people is further developing hybcell technology in Linz (Austria).

More information: www.anagnostics.com.


 


Press contact:    Impuls Public Relations e.U. | Mag. Anita Bernecker
4020 Linz | Goethestraße 61/10
    anita.bernecker@impulspr.com | Tel. 0664/1604209

Anagnostics Bioanalysis GmbH | Mag. Christoph Reschreiter 4020 Linz | Hafenstraße 47-51
    c.reschreiter@anagnostics.com | Tel. 0732/9015-6080