The new SoPRano™ GNR ‘Build-Your-Own-Assay’ kits enable users to design and run label-free, plate-based homogeneous assays without the need for any specialist SPR instrumentation, for applications including:

• Antibody screening;
• Protein-protein interaction analysis;
• Protein-protein interaction small molecule inhibition assays.

The new SoPRano™ GNR label-free kits provide a number of benefits to researchers involved in protein research and discovery of biotherapeutics, including:

• Increased signal-noise ratio;
• Ratiometric readout for improved data quality;
• Robust carboxyl (amine) coupling.

PharmaDiagnostics’ SoPRano technology is based on Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance, a variant of the well-proven Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) technology. Unlike standard SPR techniques, SoPRano uses gold nanomaterials in solution form and therefore is suitable to high throughput applications using only standard laboratory equipment, thereby eliminating the need for costly specialist or dedicated equipment, and enabling broader adoption of SPR in biomolecular interaction analysis.

“This launch of our next generation products is a key step forward for PharmaDiagnostics.” said Dr. David Ricketts, CEO. “The new nanomaterial provides significant improvements in assay data quality and the use of a covalent coupling method confers benefits in the stability of protein-nanomaterial conjugates. This new product also provides PharmaDiagnostics with a base for the further extension of our product range, including new applications and additional conjugation methods to be announced from Q1 2012,” added Dr. Ricketts.

PharmaDiagnostics’ SoPRano technology was awarded the NPA Designation by a panel of scientific specialists chaired by Al Kolb of KeyTech Solutions, and including Charles Lunn of Merck and Ricardo Macarron of GSK. SoPRano was selected for the prize from a large range of products at the exhibition at which 155 different companies were exhibiting.

The yearly SBS conference is organized by the Society for Laboratory Automation & Screening (SLAS), an international community of more than 10,000 individual scientists, engineers, researchers, technologists and others from academic, government and commercial laboratories. SLAS provides forums for education and information exchange to encourage study and advance laboratory science and technology for the drug discovery, agrochemical, biotechnology, chemical, clinical diagnostic, consumer product, energy, food, forensic, pharmaceutical, security and other industries.

This is the 3rd time in the last 12 months that PharmaDiagnostics SoPRano has won a 1st prize technology award at a leading exhibition. In addition to the prize at SBS 2011, PharmaDiagnostics also won the ELRIG Technology Prize twice in 2010. This was at Drug Discovery 2010, Coventry, in September 2010 and Liquid Handling & Label Free Technologies 2010 in March 2010.

Label-free screening is an area of great interest and potential growth in pharmaceutical research. To date, the expanding SPR segment of this market has been dominated by providers of expensive specialist instrumentation that is unable, due to technical constraints, to provide the throughput required for routine adoption of label-free screening. PharmaDiagnostics’ SoPRano label-free platform is the first SPR-based system to utilize standard plate-readers, and simple assay protocols. This makes for increased accessibility for researchers, lowers barrier to adoption and also offers excellent scalability, thus lowering costs, as it is not necessary to increase instrument expenditure to increase throughput.

“Winning our third prize in 12 months, this time from the SBS 2011 conference at which we are assessed against many multinational suppliers, is continued demonstration that SoPRano’s appeal to industry and academic experts is real and ongoing,” said Dr David Ricketts, CEO at PharmaDiagnostics. “SoPRano was chosen by a select panel of well respected industry figures. This prize at the SBS conference is further proof that the potential of a label-free platform that requires no expensive instrumentation, and offers high throughput, is recognized by key members of the industry.”

Brussels, March 17, 2011 – PharmaDiagnostics NV, a company developing and marketing a broadly-enabling, label-free screening technology that uniquely does not require specialized equipment, announces today the launch of three new methods for coupling proteins to the gold nanoparticles used with PharmaDiagnostics’ SoPRano™ technology.

The new coupling methods will greatly expand the technology’s applicability in the key drug discovery and life science research markets. The three new coupling methods, for use with SoPRano ‘Build Your Own Assay’ kits are:

Both the CA2 and BD methods are patent pending.

PharmaDiagnostics’ SoPRano technology is based on Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance, a variant of the well-proven Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) technology. Unlike standard SPR techniques, SoPRano uses gold nanoparticles in solution form and therefore is suitable to high throughput applications using only standard laboratory equipment, thereby eliminating the need for costly specialist or dedicated equipment. Coupling of target proteins to SoPRano nanoparticles is the first step in assay development, and the three new coupling methods extend the range of proteins that can be coupled to SoPRano nanoparticles, thereby enabling broader application of the technology in pharmaceutical research.

The current SoPRano coupling method, Charge Adsorption 1, introduced by PharmaDiagnostics in September 2010, is already being trialled by seven of the top ten pharma and multiple biotech companies. “These three new coupling methods expand the range of proteins that can be coupled using SoPRano technology. They are also designed to parallel those coupling methods used on existing SPR instruments.” said Dr. David Ricketts, CEO.” “This means PharmaDiagnostics’ SoPRano platform can be applied more routinely, accelerating its adoption at an increasing number of companies. These couplings also provide PharmaDiagnostics with a base for the further extension of our product range, including new applications and additional coupling methods to be announced from April 2011,” added Dr. Ricketts

Sylviane joins from Merck’s MSD site in Newhouse, Scotland, where she was head of global compound repository and in vitro screening. Working closing with the PharmaDiagnostics Synthetic Nanotechnology team, Sylviane’s appointment is the latest in a series of additions to further strengthenthe PharmaDiagnostics R&D team. Sylviane will play a central role in driving the growth of PharmaDiagnostics’ assay product range, and via her extensive contacts in the market, in developing business globally. She will be closely involved in the product development strategy.

PharmaDiagnostics will benefit significantly from Sylviane’s considerable experience in pharmaceutical research and her knowledge of different screening technologies in drug discovery. Her move from a technology user to a provider gives PharmaDiagnostics valuable insight into market needs that will allow them to further develop their technology and product portfolio.

“Sylviane is a scientist of international renown, I am delighted to have her join our growing team. This is the latest mark of confidence from a leading industry figure, and follows on from the appointment of Ulf Jönsson, the former CEO of Biacore, as an independent director,” said David Ricketts, CEO, PharmaDiagnostics. “This clearly demonstrates the market potential of our SoPRano™ technology to revolutionize label-free screening. We have removed the need for expensive dedicated instruments and therefore can significantly expand the application of label-free screening in drug discovery.”

“Having worked for a global pharmaceutical corporation, I was keen to join an innovative, growing company with an exciting technology with significant commercial potential,” said Dr Sylviane Boucharens. “PharmaDiagnostics’ technical capabilities in label-free screening, together with its ambitious growth plans promise a true revolution in the screening market and I am looking forward to contributing to its success. ”Sylviane worked at Merck from 2000 to 2011 (Legacy Schering-Plough Research Institute & Organon Laboratories Ltd.) as the head of global compound repository and in vitro screening. Sylviane attained her PhD from the University of Grenoble, France, followed by post-doctoral positions at the INSERM U366 Laboratory, Grenoble, France and University of Manchester, UK under the Wellcome Trust International Fellowship. She started her career in the pharmaceutical industry in 1995 when she joined the Immunology Department in the Laboratoires Fournier (Dijon, France).

The European patent entitled “Reagents and methods for the determination of PK/ADME-Tox characteristics of new chemical entities and of drug candidates”, was awarded by the European Patent Office and provides formal acknowledgement of, and protection for, SoPRano label-free SPR-based assays that can be used to assess the ADME properties of compounds earlier in the drug discovery process.

“This patent is a clear recognition and acknowledgement of the innovative nature and commercial applicability of our SoPRano technology platform that enables improvements to the efficiency of the drug discovery process,” said Dr David Ricketts, CEO at PharmaDiagnostics. “Assays covered by this patent are already being trialed by a number of major pharmaceutical companies. As a result, the patent provides us further business growth opportunities.”

The SoPRano technology is unique in enabling label-free screening without a dedicated expensive instrument. For the first time, label-free assays can be applied in higher throughput earlier in drug discovery process to enable more informed decision making.

ADME assays currently marketed as SoPRano products and services include HSA and AGP interaction affinities, fraction unbound in plasma and volume of distribution, pKa, blood brain barrier permeability, bioavailability, and redox potential.

Brussels, October 21, 2010 – PharmaDiagnostics NV, a company developing and marketing a broadly-enabling, label-free screening technology that uniquely does not require specialized equipment, announces today that it has again won first prize for the most innovative technology at a highly-focussed gathering of industry and academic drug discovery experts.

PharmaDiagnostics won the ELRIG Technology Prize at Drug Discovery 2010 Coventry, in September 2010 for the SoPRano technology platform.

This is the second time in a row SoPRano™ has received industry acclaim at an ELRIG event. The company also won first prize at ELRIG’s Liquid Handling & Label Free Technologies show held in the UK earlier this year.

The ELRIG Technology Prize is awarded at each ELRIG show for the best technology on show. It is voted for by the delegates, in a free-vote made via their feedback forms.

ELRIG (European Laboratory Robotics Interest Group) is a not for profit organization whose primary purpose is to provide a communication forum for users and vendors within the scientific research, development or production community (industrial and academic) with the aim of increasing their awareness of automation techniques and products used for scientific research, development or production.

Label-free screening is an area of great interest and potential growth in pharmaceutical research. To date, the expanding SPR segment of this market has been dominated by providers of expensive specialist instrumentation that is unable, due to technical constraints, to provide the through-put required for routine adoption of label-free screening.

PharmaDiagnostics’ SoPRano label-free platform is the first SPR-based system to utilize standard plate-readers, and simple assay protocols. This makes for increased accessibility for researchers, lowers barrier to adoption and also offers excellent scalability, thus lowering costs, as it is not necessary to increase instrument expenditure to increase throughput. “Winning this prize for the second time in a row shows that SoPRano’s appeal to knowledgeable industry and academic experts is real and ongoing,” said Dr David Ricketts, CEO at PharmaDiagnostics. “SoPRano was chosen from a large range of technologies/vendors, including label-free instrument providers, many of whom have well established technologies. Our two successive wins demonstrate the high level of market interest and market demand for a label-free platform that requires no expensive instrumentation, and offers high throughput – truly the next generation in label-free screening.”

“The ELRIG Technology Prize has become a much coveted prize at ELRIG organized conferences, as the vote is entirely composed by delegates who are from a broad span of the industry including senior representatives,” said Dermot Boylan, ELRIG’s General Manager. “Delegates are often confronted with a wide range of differing technologies at the show. To win the prize, you need to impress a variety of delegates with differing interests. To win the prize for the second time in a row is as yet unparalleled.”

Brussels, August 26, 2010 – PharmaDiagnostics NV, a company developing and marketing a broadly-enabling, label-free screening technology that uniquely does not require specialized equipment, announces today the launch of its SoPRano™ assay kit, SoPRano CA1.

The new kit allows users to couple their own proteins to SoPRano gold nanoparticles and build and run their own assays. This was previously available only as a service provided by PharmaDiagnostics, and the new kit will now greatly expand the accessibility and utility of the technology to customers. SoPRano technology is based on a variant of the wellestablished surface plasmon resonance (SPR) phenomenon, and for the first time makes label-free screening available in high throughput on a standard plate-reader.

Label-free screening is an area of great interest and growth in pharmaceutical research. To date, the expanding SPR segment of this market has been dominated by providers of expensive specialist instrumentation that is unable, due to technical constraints, to provide the throughput required for routine screening. With the launch of the easy to use SoPRano CA1, the first in a new family of kits, PharmaDiagnostics is now able to deliver on the promise of label-free SPR screening by enabling researchers to develop and run their own high-quality, cost-effective assays without the need for expensive capital equipment.

The kits enable users to develop assays for a range of applications, including fragment screening, focused high throughput screening (HTS), antibody discovery, and hit confirmation. The company also already offers SoPRano kits for a range of ADME and physicochemical properties, including plasma protein binding, pKa and redox potential.

PharmaDiagnostics’ SoPRano label-free platform is the first SPR-based system to utilize standard plate-readers, and simple assay protocols. This increases for researchers, lowers barrier to adoption and also offers excellent scalability, thus lowering costs, as it is not necessary to increase instrument expenditure to increase throughput.

“The new SoPRano assay kit is another illustration of PharmaDiagnostics’ commitment towards providing broader access to label-free screening technology,” said Dr David Ricketts, CEO at PharmaDiagnostics.

“We have seen that the market is seeking flexible access to label-free screening technology, which we now offer both as a service in PharmaDiagnostics’ laboratories, as well as through the SoPRano kits which enable customers to develop and run their own assays.”

Brussels, March 1, 2010 – PharmaDiagnostics NV, a company developing and marketing a broadly enabling, label-free screening technology that uniquely does not require specialized equipment, announces today that it has appointed Ulf Jönsson as non-executive director. Jönsson was a co-founder and CEO of Biacore, the market leader in label-free screening and now part of GE Healthcare.

“Ulf Jönsson’s decision to join PharmaDiagnostics sends a powerful signal of confidence to the market,” said David Ricketts, CEO of PharmaDiagnostics. “Ulf’s experience in founding a technology company, driving its growth and leading it as CEO will be of significant help to our growth plans, and his expertise in the label-free market will contribute to all aspects of our development strategy. I am delighted that he is joining us and look forward to working with him.”

“PharmaDiagnostics’ SoPRano™ platform and its supporting technology has the potential to revolutionize label-free screening,” said Jönsson. “It is the only company that enables label-free screening without recourse to expensive dedicated instrumentation, and I look forward to bringing my expertise and experience to bear on helping the team successfully develop and market its innovative technology.”

Jönsson, 56, MSc, PhD, was one of the three founders of Biacore AB starting in 1984 as a research department within Pharmacia Fine Chemicals (today part of General Electric Health Care division). In 1987, this research was transferred into a wholly owned subsidiary, Pharmacia Biosensor AB.

This subsidiary became the listed Biacore AB (SSE and Nasdaq) in 1996.

Pharmacia Biosensor AB reached positive operating income in 1994 and Jönsson joined Pharmacia Biotechnology to run its newly created project management function. From 1996 to 1998 he broadened his skills by moving into a marketing management position as head of Molecular Systems with a turnover of USD 30M. In 1998 he returned to Biacore AB as Executive Vice President and head of all central functions (R&D, Manufacturing and Marketing) becoming President and CEO of Biacore AB in May 2000 where he stayed until 2004 with revenues peaking at USD 88M. In 2005, he moved to become CEO of Cellectricon AB, a start up company focusing on products for cell biology research and the following year began to run his own business as science and technology adviser and non-executive director. Jönsson is currently a non-executive director for the following companies: Likvor, NEMS, CMTF Business Development and Eviderm Institute.

Brussels, February 8, 2010 – PharmaDiagnostics NV, a company developing and marketing a broadly-enabling, label-free screening technology that uniquely does not require specialized equipment, announces today the launch of SoPRano™, a high-performance set of screening tools to accelerate the drug discovery process for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

SoPRano’s key advance is to use the proven principle of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and make it available in high throughput on a standard plate-reader, without the need for costly specialist equipment.

PharmaDiagnostics already offers ADME/PK and custom assay development products and services, and is working with leading research groups to introduce regular further platform enhancements in new application areas.

Label-free screening is currently an area of great interest in the pharmaceutical research market. PharmaDiagnostics’ approach stands out as all other available label-free technologies require expensive dedicated equipment that restricts both breadth of application and compound throughput. PharmaDiagnostics’ localized surface plasmon resonance technology (LSPR) is broadly enabling, with easy to use protocols, and is applicable to a range of assays for both small molecule and antibody screening and characterization. For the first time, label-free screening can be applied in high throughput applications.

“With SoPRano, PharmaDiagnostics is providing label-free screening for a much broader range of researchers,” said Dr David Ricketts, CEO at PharmaDiagnostics. “Early customer feedback has been extremely positive. This product launch at Screening Europe and our new corporate website and online SoPRano facility demonstrates PharmaDiagnostics’ commitment to develop and enhance SoPRano and bring our customers real value.”

“After our recent USD 3.5M fundraising, the launch of SoPRano is another significant step forward in the development of PharmaDiagnostics’ business,” added Ricketts.

PharmaDiagnostics’ website is www.pharmadiagnostics.com. The company will also make a poster presentation at Screening Europe.