PALO ALTO, Calif., March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan’s 2006 Point-of-Use Diagnostics Technology Innovation of the Year Award goes to Pria Diagnostics LLC in recognition of its breakthrough NanoFL(TM) technology platform and test kit. The platform forms the core of the company’s Element(TM) test, an over-the-counter male fertility indicator for in-home testing.
The Frost & Sullivan Award for Technology Innovation of the Year is presented each year to the company that has carried out new research, which has resulted in innovations that have or are expected to bring significant contributions to the industry in terms of adoption, change, and competitive posture. This Award recognizes the quality and depth of a company’s research and development program as well as the vision and risk-taking that enabled it to undertake such an endeavor.
The NanoFL(TM) microfluorimeter combines the sophistication of a clinical fluorimeter with the price and size of a rapid diagnostic kit. It can also quantitatively detect complex antigens, nucleic acids, and biomarkers.
Diagnostic manufacturers have been developing point-of-use assays to primarily use lateral-flow immunochromatographic/colorimetric, electrochemical, or spectroscopic tests -- all of which have shortcomings such as the loss of sensitivity or expensive assay development. Despite its pervasiveness in clinical laboratory testing and high sensitivity, fluorescence has not become popular because fluorimeters have always been too large, expensive, and fragile for non-laboratory use.
Pria, in contrast, has enabled the development of an innovative mobile platform that is substantially cheaper and that maintains the requisite diagnostic sensitivity by replacing the entire glass and quartz optics, material coatings, lasers and high-powered energy requirements with injection- molded parts and optimized electronics.
“The NanoFL platform changes the basic decision tree for developing point- of-use diagnostics,” says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Sachin Thukral. “It moves beyond the traditional sensitivity and specificity limitations of rapid diagnostics by performing fluid-based readings with a digital analysis and control approach.”
The platform is small and easy to use, as is evidenced by the creation of Element(TM), which is less than three square inches in size, weighs less than 100 g, and can be easily operated by a consumer. It is Pria’s first product for determining male fertility, facilitating a quick and easy evaluation of sperm count, motility, and forward progression based on WHO set criteria.
Its affordability is very attractive since currently, most insurance companies do not reimburse fertility diagnosis. Significantly, the platform enables point-of-use of tests that previously could only be conducted in the laboratory and it also increases the number and types of tests that can be performed at point-of-use.
“All components used in the Element(TM) are reusable; however Pria is now developing an infectious disease test that uses a separate test strip from the reading device for the physician’s office,” notes Thukral. “In such a scenario, a reusable device is more useful and is as cost effective as a separate, low-cost test strip.”
Pria is working on developing a device whose underlying components will remain similar to its current configurations, but one that will expand the use of NanoFL’s platform application in additional markets.
Pria has two issued and several filed patents focused on the core diagnostic platform. The company plans to continue to build its intellectual property portfolio and file patents related to the microfluorimetry, polymer- optic, and microfluidic manufacturing of its NanoFL platform.
About Pria Diagnostics LLC
Pria Diagnostics is a research and development company specializing in advanced disposable medical diagnostics. Pria uses the latest advances in microfluidics and florescence-based detection to offer a single unit diagnostic test capable of highly specific analysis at the cellular level. Adapted from medical research and military applications, the Company’s innovative technology permits an integrated, fully functional design that is small, lightweight and low cost. Element(TM), Pria’s lead product, is a male fertility-screening device designed for the over-the-counter (OTC) market.
About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company’s industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. For more information, visit http://www.frost.com .
Contact: Stacie Jones 210.247.2450 Stacie.jones@frost.com
Frost & Sullivan
CONTACT: Stacie Jones of Frost & Sullivan, +1-210-247-2450, orStacie.jones@frost.com
Web site: http://www.frost.com/
