Mediomics LLC Awarded Phase I Contract from NIH: Will Receive $185,000 for Development of Molecular Pincer-based In-Process Analyzer for Biologics

ST. LOUIS--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Mediomics, LLC has been awarded an $185,000 Phase I SBIR contract (HHSN261201000040C) from the National Cancer Institute. The major goal of this project is to develop a hand-held biosensor and PINCER™-based assay reagents for in-process analysis of biologics production. This project will culminate with beta testing by a collaborating third-party manufacturer. Since 2007, Mediomics has received more than two million dollars of US government funding to develop its quick and sensitive homogenous PINCER™ protein assay.

“The grant will be extremely helpful to move this cheaper, faster screening technology into mainstream applications”

Mediomics is currently focused on developing a sustainable, profitable biotechnology business that provides innovative assay kits, biosensors and microarrays for academic and corporate research, point of care testing, food and pharmaceutical production process control, as well as the medical and environmental research markets. These assay kits will be used to quantify most biologically and therapeutically important macromolecules, including ligands, proteins, protein complexes, and pathogens, including bacteria, fungi and viruses. By 2012, it has been estimated that the global market for biosensors will reach approximately $6.1 billion dollars.

The company’s rapid, mix-and–measure homogeneous assays have already been adapted for the detection of a range of biologically and therapeutically important macromolecules, including cAMP, tryptophan, S-adenosyl methionine, PDE assay, biotin, insulin, C-peptide, albumin, C-reactive protein (hCRP), IgG, IgM, E. Coli, and others.

Mediomics will collaborate with Dr. Daren Chen, Professor of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, and a team from Missouri Enterprise on the development and fabrication of the prototype hand-held biosensor. Mediomics is seeking biologics collaboration partners for the Phase II contract proposal.

“The grant will be extremely helpful to move this cheaper, faster screening technology into mainstream applications,” said Mediomics President, Dr. Yie-Hwa Chang. “We expect the availability of hand-held fluorescence detectors will displace cumbersome benchtop instruments and gain acceptance for use in biologics production and food pathogen detection.”

Company Background

Dr. Yie-Hwa Chang founded the Company in August 2001. The Company is commercializing core technologies for which it has secured an exclusive license from Saint Louis University, including the following: (i) a DNA-binding protein-based bioassay, biosensor and biochip platform, (ii) a related variant – the molecular PINCER™-based homogeneous biosensor, bioassay, biochip platforms and companion devices, and (iii) innovative, proprietary methods to screen and develop new high-affinity capture reagents for research, diagnostic and therapeutic use.

For additional information, visit the website at www.mediomics.com, or contact Margaret Meng, Chief Administrative Officer, by phone at [phone].