Biosensor offers safer and more reliable detection method as an alternative to animal toxicity testing
June 27, 2007 — MONTREAL, QC, CANADA — Biophage Pharma Inc. is very pleased to announce that the PDS(R) Biosensor will make its commercial debut today at the Nanotoxicity 2007 Trade show in Paris, France. This product represents the first of many innovative biosensors in development by its Biosensor Division. Biophage president and CEO, Dr. Rosemonde Mandeville, will make a presentation on the PDS(R) technology platform and the targeted markets for this biosensor, which was designed for the rapid detection of toxicity (predictive toxicity) of metals and nanoparticles.
The global demand for biosensors capable of rapidly detecting the toxic effect of metals or nanoparticles on living human cells is exploding. According to a recent BBC technical market research report, the U.S. in vitro toxicity testing (predictive toxicity) market had a value of $765 million in 2006 and will double by 2011, reaching $1.5 billion. Biophage is well positioned to capitalize on this rapidly expanding market by offering companies and research laboratories a novel and efficient biosensor that can rapidly screen large numbers of compounds for cell toxicity.
The PDS(R) Biosensor allows for the rapid and simultaneous screening of a large number of toxic compounds, metals and nanoparticles and determines their relative level of toxicity. It can also identify important parameters that determine toxicity levels at various stages of development and manufacturing, allowing companies to explore different strategies to circumvent potential toxic effects or mitigate the risk to humans, animals and the environment. The company’s targeted clients are government and regulatory agencies, research laboratories and environmental investigators in the biopharmaceutical, agricultural, cosmetics and probiotics fields.
“After many years of research and development, we are extremely pleased to have reached this important commercial milestone. I would like to congratulate our PDS(R) Biosensor development team who worked tirelessly to achieve our projected 2007 Q2 completion date, particularly Dr. Beatrice Allain (R&D Director),” says Mandeville. “This versatile biosensor provides a user friendly, rapid, and safer in vitro toxicological first screening detection method. It represents a viable, cost effective alternative for toxicity testing and at the same time offers customers a ‘politically correct’ solution which addresses the controversial issue of animal testing,” continues Mandeville.
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, prevention and control of bacterial infections. Founded in 1995, Biophage operates three divisions: (1) The Biosensors division for the development and commercialization of Biosensors, more particularly the PDS(R) Biosensor; (2) The phage therapy division for the prevention and control of bacterial contaminations in the medical, veterinary and environment fields; (3) The Immunotox Labs division, which provides services in Immunogenicity and Immunotoxicity, Beryllium sensitivity testing and MELISA(R) testing for the detection of sensitization to more than 200 different allergens including metals, penicillin, gluten, pollens and more recently Lyme disease (Boreliosis). (www.biophagepharma.net; www.immunotoxlabs.com)
Contacts:
Biophage Pharma Inc.
Rosemonde Mandeville, M.B., Ch.B., PhD.
President and CEO
Tel: 514-496-1488
E-mail: [email protected]
Louis Guindon
Chief Financial officer
Tel: 514-496-3230
E-mail: [email protected]
Renmark Financial Communications Inc.
Christine Stewart: [email protected]
Philippe DeSerres: [email protected]
Tel. : 514-939-3989
Fax : 514-939-3717
www.renmarkfinancial.com