Using proprietary nano-sized magnetic beads with specialized binding capabilities, Veravas, Inc., an early-stage diagnostics company based in Austin, Texas, has created a new development platform for biotech scientists. Researchers can employ it to measure antibodies against any antigen of interest in serum, plasma or saliva.
Its VeraPrep Antibody Detection Kit provides scientists with a research tool to easily and quickly develop new tests to multiplex detect and measure immunoglobulins against new and emerging pathogens as well as autoantibodies against cardiac, neurologic, and cancer biomarkers. The ability to preanalytically remove sample interferences from a larger sample and subsequently concentrate makes it possible to detect antibodies in low abundance from samples.
The process uses proprietary magnetic beads with unique, low nonspecific binding properties that isolate and remove interfering antibodies in the sample. With a cleaned sample, targeted IgA, IgG and IgM immunoglobulins can be concentrated, captured and multiplex measured in a single test using the kit’s proprietary reagent beads that are coated with the researcher’s antigen of interest.
“This offers a first of its kind platform that addresses unmet clinical needs,” said John Forrest, co-founder and chief executive officer. “There are numerous applications for this technology that we believe will support research and simplify and accelerate the development of a host of new serology and autoantibody tests in areas such as cardiology, neurology, oncology, immunology and drug development.” For more info, see www.veravas.com.
