Biophage Pharma signs an important M.O.U. with a2sp Limited and files a ground breaking patent application
Tue Mar 13, 8:35 AM
Integration of Magic Tag(R) technology to Biophage biosensor platform extends diagnostic capabilities
MONTREAL, March 13 /CNW Telbec/ - (TSX-V: BUG). Biophage Pharma Inc. (Biophage) and a2sp Limited (a2sp), a privately held UK biotech company (Warwick, England) announced today the signing of a collaborative agreement aimed at combining a2sp's Magic Tag(R) immobilization technology with the Biophage biosensor platform. Magic Tag(R) uses linkers, which are activated by daylight, for the immobilization of biomolecules (including phages) onto different surfaces such as magnetic beads, biosensors and micro-array surfaces.
Biophage and a2sp also announced that they have jointly filed a patent application on February 16, 2007 relating to "methods for immobilizing viruses (phages) using photo-reactive linkers".
The integration of Magic Tag(R) linkers with our biosensor platforms will result in a major enhancement of the diagnostic capabilities of Biophage biosensor technologies, the speed of immobilizing phages to different surfaces and the reduction of problems associated with non-specific binding (minimizing false results). Unlike other existing technologies that employ UV-light activated linkers, the new, specially designed Magic Tag(R) linkers are activated by daylight thereby avoiding the use of UV-light which could breakdown phages and proteins.
"With the integration of Magic Tag(R) immobilization technology, Biophage marks a new and very exciting development in our portfolio of products, extending the range of diseases we will now be able to diagnose to include viral infections, etc.", said Dr. Mandeville, President and Chief Executive Officer of Biophage Pharma Inc. "The use of linkers is a ground breaking innovation in our detection platforms and is a major step forward in the development and commercialization of robust, reliable and rapid biosensors for the detection of a large number of diseases." concluded Dr. Mandeville.
"We are delighted to be working with Biophage Pharma combining our expertise in immobilization chemistry with Biophage's leading position in the use of phages. This collaboration further broadens the application of both technologies and intellectual property estate", said Dr Suzanne Dilly, Director of a2sp Limited.
About Biophage Pharma Inc.
Biophage Pharma is a high potential, revenue-driven Canadian biotechnology company focused on the development of innovative phage-based products and technologies for the detection and management of bacterial contaminations. Founded in 1995, Biophage operates three divisions: (1) The phage therapy division for the management of bacterial contaminations in the medical, veterinary and environment fields; (2) The Biosensors division for the development and commercialization of Biosensors, more particularly a compact PDS96(R) biosensor which is entering in the pre-commercialization stage; (3) The Immunotox Labs division, which provides services in Immunogenicity and Immunotoxicity, Nanotoxicity and Ecotoxicology, Beryllium sensitivity testing and MELISA(R) testing for the detection of sensitization to more than 200 different allergens including metals, penicillin, gluten and pollens.
(www.biophagepharma.net; www.immunotoxlabs.net)
About a2sp Limited
a2sp Limited is a privately held UK biotechnology company providing Chemical Genomics Services for drug discovery. The core technology upon which the company was founded is licensed as Magic Tag(R) immobilization platform. This technology has a broad range of applications in chemical genomics, drug discovery, drug screening and to the immobilization of bio-molecules, measurement and characterization of small- and macro-molecules. Established in 2006, a2sp Limited is developing a portfolio of therapeutic programs based on the use of Magic Tag(R) technology to identify drug re-profiling opportunities.
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Contacts
Biophage Pharma Inc.: Rosemonde Mandeville
M.B.
Ch.B.
PhD
President and Chief Executive Officer
(514) 496-1488
rosemonde.mandeville@biophagepharma.net
a2sp Limited: Paul Taylor
PhD Director and Chief Scientific Officer
+44 (0)24 7652 4375
paul.taylor@magic-tag.co.uk
