Arcxis Biotechnologies accelerates the BioPhalanx™ Analyzer with an award from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Unique portable microarray platform will rapidly detect bio-threats. Pleasanton, California (July 17th 2007).
Arcxis Biotechnologies ("Arcxis") announced today a Phase II award from the Department of Homeland Security, to continue development of the BioPhalanx Analyzer, a hand-portable instrument that is designed to rapidly detect bio-threats in the field. The $1,000,000 award follows the successful completion of Phase I, where a novel Tentacle Probe assay was demonstrated, providing DHS researchers with the first genomic assay that does not report false positive results for two important biological threat agents, Bacillus anthracis and Yersina pestis (the bio-threat agents for anthrax and plague respectively).
Phase II, which includes a "fast track" option, will help fund product development by leveraging several technical advancements that are part of the Arcxis intellectual property portfolio. It will combine Arcxis micro preparation cards (MPC) for rapid sample preparation, Arcxis micro channel-based microarrays (MCM) for sensitive nucleic acid detection, and Arcxis Tentacle Probes for the design of several specific assays targeted at potential bio-threats. "The BioPhalanx Analyzer represents a coming together of several unique technologies, which have been developed here at Arcxis, delivering speed, sensitivity and specificity", said Mr. Goldstein CEO, Arcxis. "As part of the development plan, Arcxis will deploy platforms and consumable devices at selected customer sites by end of year 2008", he added. The BioPhalanx Analyzer is designed to be robust enough to be deployed in harsh environments and following the successful testing in the field, a decision will be made on the timing of the BioPhalanx Analyzer's unrestricted launch into the marketplace. Arcxis Biotechnologies headquartered in Pleasanton, California, is a private, venture funded company that designs, develops and markets instrument systems and reagents for the isolation and purification of RNA and DNA. For additional about Arcxis, please visit the company's website www.arcxis.com
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Tentacle Probe™ Offers Assurance for Anthrax Detection (February 28th, 2007)
Joint study from Arcxis Biotechnologies and United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) has resulted in an important detection test for Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax.
Pleasanton, California – February 28, 2007 - Arcxis Biotechnologies and United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) announced today the successful conclusion of their recent joint collaboration using Arcxis's patented Tentacle Probe technology for the detection of bacterial pathogens. Investigators demonstrated that the resulting assay was targeted to a chromosomal sequence in the gyrA gene of B. anthracis (anthrax), an organism which is a common focus of bioterrorist interest. The Tentacle Probe assay eliminated false positives, previously observed with closely related and naturally occurring bacterial species, such as B. cereus. The improved performance is due to the incorporation of multiple binding sites into the probe that combine to have a very strong overall cooperative effect.
"We felt that this project was important to undertake because detection of chromosomal targets, when used to complement assays that are directed to the virulence genes, can provide the genetic background of the organism containing plasmid pXO1 and/or pXO2 sequences", said Dr David Norwood, USAMRIID.
"We believed that we could develop a chromosomal assay for B. anthracis where others had failed. Previous studies show that other Bacillus organisms may contain plasmid sequences (pXO1 and/or pXO2) but may, or may not, in fact constitute a biological threat agent", said Dr. West, CTO, Arcxis. "Using our Tentacle Probe technology we succeeded in identifying virulent from non-virulent Bacillus strains without sacrificing specificity or sensitivity and without reporting false positive results", he added.
"This is independent validation of both the performance and usability of our technology for infectious agents that may change naturally or by design", said Mr. Goldstein CEO, Arcxis. "Given our recent funding we are now committed to bringing our technologies to the marketplace in the 2nd half of 2007."
Arcxis Biotechnologies, headquartered in Pleasanton, California, designs, develops and markets Tentacle Probe™ reagents as well as instruments systems for the isolation and detection of DNA/RNA. For additional information about Arcxis Biotechnologies, please visit the company's website at www.arcxis.com.
U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, located at Fort Detrick, Maryland, is the lead medical research laboratory for the U.S. Biological Defense Research Program, and plays a key role in national defense and in infectious disease research. The Institute's mission is to conduct basic and applied research on biological threats resulting in medical solutions (such as vaccines, drugs and diagnostics) to protect the warfighter. USAMRIID is a subordinate laboratory of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command.
The information contained in this press release does not necessarily reflect the position or the policy of the Government and no official endorsement should be inferred.
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Arcxis Biotechnologies Announces Series A Financing
Pleasanton, CA - (August 23, 2006). Arcxis Biotechnologies, a privately held biomedical device firm, announced today that it has completed a Series A round of financing of nearly $2,250,000. The funds, invested by Claremont Creek Ventures, will enable Arcxis to accelerate development, testing, and commercialization of their products for rapid diagnostics, pathogen handling and sample preparation. By rapidly isolating, identifying and characterizing genes and proteins, Arcxis Biotechnologies' products will enable faster, more accurate and more economical diagnosis of infectious diseases and other conditions marked by genetic and proteomic changes, such as cancer. The company's products may also be applied to environmental and epidemiological applications aimed at protecting individuals and communities from infectious disease outbreaks. "This first round of institutional investment enables us to hire key employee talent, make certain equipment purchases, and initiate the commercial development programs in our strategic plan", said Howard D. Goldstein, president and chief executive officer of Arcxis. "These activities would not be possible at this time without capital support from Claremont Creek." "Claremont Creek is impressed with Arcxis's core technologies and products", said John Steuart, co-managing director of Claremont Creek Ventures. "We see strong potential for Arcxis' point-of-care diagnosis technology in national defense, clinical research, and other medical markets. We also like their entrepreneurial zeal - it makes Arcxis a good match for our philosophy of funding talented managers."
About Claremont Creek Ventures Claremont Creek Ventures is a venture capital firm that specializes in early stage information technology start-ups. Founded by Managing Directors Nat Goldhaber, Randy Hawks, and John Steuart, the firm focuses on IT sectors where its partners have deep domain expertise, including the mobility, healthcare and security markets. Claremont Creeks' investment professionals share a deep commitment to helping entrepreneurs build successful companies from the ground up, drawing from decades of entrepreneurial, operational, and investment experience. The firm is based in Oakland, California, where it works closely with nearby research-driven "incubating institutions, such as UC Berkeley, UC Davis, Lawrence Livermore, Sandia and Berkeley Laboratories. For more information, please visit www.claremontvc.com. Arcxis Biotechnologies is a maker of laboratory systems for disease pathogen detection and clinical diagnostics. Headquarters are in Pleasanton, California. For additional information, please call (925) 461-1300 or visit www.arcxis.com.
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