CHESTER, N.J., Jan. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Molecular Biometrics, a privately-held company developing novel diagnostic tools to more accurately characterize biologic function in health and disease, today announced that Denny Sakkas, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Yale University School of Medicine, and Director of the embryology laboratory at Yale Fertility Center, has joined the company as Chief Scientific Officer. Molecular Biometrics is applying its proprietary metabolomics technology to bring new accuracy to diagnostics in five areas of medicine where there is a demonstrated need, including reproductive health, neurodegenerative disease (Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease), maternal fetal medicine, and drug discovery and development. The company’s lead product candidates are diagnostic tests used to evaluate embryos, oocytes and sperm viability for in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Molecular Biometrics also announced that it is opening a new 2,200 square foot research facility, adjacent to Yale University, in January 2008. Dr. Sakkas will oversee the company’s research and development activities from this new lab facility, which will initially be dedicated to the company’s lead product candidate, ViaTest-E(TM). ViaTest-E is in late-stage development for the assessment of embryo viability in the field of IVF and assisted reproductive technology.
“Dr. Sakkas brings decades of research and clinical experience to our team. Denny is one of the top scientists in the field of embryology and has pioneered embryo culture, diagnosis and selection techniques, the analysis of cells to detect disease, and the development of tests for genetic disorders and chromosomal abnormalities,” said James T. Posillico, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer, Molecular Biometrics. “Denny will take on an integral role working with the company’s scientific team to develop metabolomic-based diagnostic tools that offer more accurate, non-invasive methods for the embryology laboratory that will ultimately improve outcomes in IVF.” Dr. Sakkas has been a member of Molecular Biometrics’ Scientific Advisory Board since the inception of the company.
Dr. Sakkas received his undergraduate training at the University of Melbourne, Australia, and his Doctorate of Philosophy at Monash University, Melbourne. Prior to joining the Yale Fertility Center, he had been the laboratory director at major IVF centers in Switzerland, England and the United States.
Dr. Sakkas is internationally recognized for his work in reproductive health research, has published more than 100 manuscripts and chapters in the fields of fertilization, early embryo development and male infertility, and serves on the editorial board of several leading scientific journals in the field.
Metabolomics at Molecular Biometrics
Molecular Biometrics is developing novel diagnostics based on metabolic profiles comprised of known biologic and chemical markers for disease and normal functioning, a science known as metabolomics. The company is applying its patented application of biospectroscopy -- light analysis technology -- and bioinformatics to develop diagnostic tools in five areas of medicine.
Metabolomics is a complex scientific process that can identify and measure individual signals from many small molecular compounds produced by cellular metabolism which, when evaluated as a whole, represent unique biomarkers of normal biologic function in health and disease.
Near infrared (NIR) biospectroscopy, when applied with metabolomic analysis, evaluates the absorption of light specific to small molecule functional groups, to create a biomarker profile of molecules that are descriptive of cellular function and viability. The result is the creation of a novel “metabolomic profile” or “fingerprint.”
Metabolomic profiling is used to systematically distinguish between the often subtle differences that separate normal physiology from the onset or progression of disease, or an individual’s response to therapeutic intervention. Metabolomics is commonly used in pharmaceutical research, medical diagnostics, and food and agrichemical industries.
Molecular Biometrics is applying metabolomics in the development of diagnostic tools in the areas of infertility (to determine viability of embryos, sperm and oocytes used in IVF), maternal fetal medicine (to monitor the health status of a growing fetus, in-utero), and for the early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
About Molecular Biometrics
Molecular Biometrics, LLC, is headquartered in Chester, NJ, with research and development facilities in Montreal, Quebec, and New Haven, CT. The company is applying novel metabolomic technologies to develop accurate, non-invasive diagnostic tools for use in evaluating normal biologic function in health and disease, and for drug discovery and development. The company’s proprietary technology is being applied in reproductive health and IVF, neurodegenerative disease (Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease), maternal fetal medicine, pulmonary metabolism and edema, and lactate metabolism. For more information, please visit www.molecularbiometrics.com.
CONTACT: Gina Cella of Cella Communications, +1-781-334-4692,
ginacella@comcast.net, for Molecular Biometrics
Web site: http://www.molecularbiometrics.com/
