A novel biosensing surface for FET-biosensors. A game-changing technology for in vitro diagnostics at the point of care.

INTRODUCTION:

Biosensors are defined as analytical devices consisting of bio-receptors (e.g. antibodies), electrical interfaces (e.g. CNT-based transistors), and purely electronic readout systems (e.g. battery powered potentiostat). Biosensors are considered supreme analytical devices for environmental testing, biomarker analytics, and medical diagnostics.

TECHNOLOGY (INVENTION) DESCRIPTION:

Our core technology focuses on the interface between biochemistry and sensor electronics. Through an innovative jump in antibody engineering, we developed an assay technology for very fast quantitative biomarker measurements. Our paratope capping technology allows us to modify antibody/antigen binding in a specific and controlled manner. By integrating digital signaling, binding of a biomarker by one antibody and generation of a corresponding quantitative signal were fused into one reaction step. Our single-epitope immunoassays are implemented as biosensing surface on highly sensitive semiconductor-based sensors. We develop a novel type of low-cost biosensor to accurately measure a wide range of blood biomarkers in a simple 1-step procedure, without complex and expensive equipment.

ADVANTAGES OVER EXISTING SOLUTIONS:

Functionalizing semiconductor-based sensors with biomolecules as receptors, to develop highly sensitive biosensors for analytics/diagnostics, is still a field of extensive research. For example, no biosensor that combines immunoassays with semiconductor sensors has been commercialized yet. BMDX developed a biochemistry as "biosensing surface" for such sensors. As no optical detection is required, diagnostic tests based on FET-Biosensors would make the laboratory-grade quantification of important blood biomarkers as simple as measuring blood sugar. This is ideal for applications in point-of-care testing, as currently existing options are either too expensive or not sensitive/accurate enough.

DEVELOPMENT STATUS (STAGE):

Biochemistry: Developed and validated in human serum and whole blood. FET-Biosensors: Prototyping phase.

PUBLICATIONS:

Our know-how and technology is still confidential and not published. Information on biosensors based on field-effect transistors FETs), as well as Immuno-FETs, is published by other several independent groups. For example: Gutiérrez-Sanz et al., Direct, Label-Free, and Rapid Transistor-Based Immunodetection in Whole Serum. ACS Sens., 2017, 2 (9), pp 1278–1286

IP PROTECTION STATUS:

Our first patent family covers the single-antibody biochemistry. EU: 17 185 959.8-1111 PCT: PCT/EP2018/0715

TECHNOLOGY / IP OWNERS :

All our relevant IP is owned by the Life Science Inkubator Sachsen GmbH & Co.KG.