Paris, March 13, 2008 - Magnisense, a diagnostics company that develops and markets magnetic immunoassays, announces today the opening of laboratories and offices in Dardilly, near Lyon, France. The laboratory is dedicated to the development of proprietary biological assays for the diagnostics industry. The office will be headed by Sébastien Quesney, Magnisense's director of technical development.
The Magnisense team at Dardilly will focus on developing biological assays for human and veterinary diagnostics as well as for food safety and environmental protection, in collaboration with the diagnostics industry. It will also develop assays that will be marketed by Magnisense under its own brand. These will include the MIAtetanos(TM) assay for use in hospital emergency services, which is slated for announcement this year.
"Opening our new laboratory is a big step forward in Magnisense's development plans," said Luc Lenglet, CEO of Magnisense. "Setting up in Lyon - where we were greatly helped by the local development agency, Aderly, - places us at the heart of one of the leading international biology clusters, surrounded by successful multinational biology-based companies. This means we can easily recruit the technical skills we need as well as have access to a rich network of contacts."
The products developed by Magnisense represent a real breakthrough in the field of biological diagnostics. They are based on magnetic bead markers, which can be used to achieve the accuracy of laboratory testing with the ease of use of rapid test methods. The company has already developed two test formats for different applications in strip and cartridge form.
About Magnisense
Magnisense develops and markets magnetic immunoassays. These next-generation bioassays improve rapid diagnostic performance for human and animal diagnostics, food safety and environmental protection testing. They are based on magnetic bead markers, which can be used to achieve the accuracy of laboratory testing with the ease of use of rapid test methods.
Exploiting a unique feature of magnetic bead markers, Magnisense's MIAtek(TM) technology provides true quantification of a large volume sample. The magnetic signal is free of interference from environmental factors, permitting a more sensitive and reproducible detection than possible with other surface-restricted approaches common in lateral flow rapid testing.
Magnisense is developing two test formats for different application areas:
MIAstrip(TM): Point of care testing with a single dose, producing objective, quantifiable and traceable results via a portable reader. MIAstrip enables the identification of a target via detection of known markers for a number of diseases including avian flu, cardiac disease, tetanus, and bacterial, viral, parasitic or mycotic infections.
MIAflo(TM): Disposable cartridges for detection of targets, such as bacterial contamination in food products, e.g. Listeria and Salmonella, or in water, e.g. Legionella, with a sensitivity that brings a significant reduction in testing time.
Founded in 2003, Magnisense has raised two rounds of financing for a total of EUR 6 million from Baring Vostok Capital Partners and private investors.
For further information: www.magnisense.com