• American Bio Medica (Kinderhook, New York) reported the launch of the patent pending OralStat EX, an oral fluid point-of-collection test that improves the limits of detection over other point-of-collection oral fluid drug tests on the market. OralStat EX has been designed to make both point-of-collection testing and confirmation testing simple. The collection swab has a volume indicator so that the correct volume is collected each time. The oral fluid sample is then expressed into a separate transportable bottle containing a buffer solution, and after the initial screen has been performed there is ample solution remaining to send to a laboratory for confirmation of non- negative test results. American Bio Medica makes immunoassay diagnostic test kits.

• Biomagnetics Diagnostics (Orangevale, California) reported that Lathrop Engineering, a Silicon Valley design and engineering firm, has completed phase “O” of product development on schedule and has established a “proof of concept” for Biomagnetics’ patented HTS-MTP technology. Phase 1 will take the company through the detailed design of breadboard and integrated concept for prototype instrumentation. The HTS-MTP diagnostics system uses magnetic resonance sensors integrated into the company’s technology providing high throughput screening with the company’s proprietary immunoassays incorporating super paramagnetic or ferromagnetic micro-spheres in a ternary complex. The company’s initial immunoassays, to be developed, will target the HIV and Hepatitis B viruses. Biomagnetics Diagnostics makes diagnostic equipment and immunoassays.

• Epix Pharmaceuticals (Lexington, Massachusetts) reported that preclinical data from a gadolinium-based collagen-specific contrast agent, EP-3533, was featured in a poster presentation at the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging Tenth Annual Scientific Meeting in Rome. In a mouse model of myocardial infarction, EP-3533-enhanced MRI was able to differentiate healthy heart muscle from non-viable, infarcted myocardium. Andrew Uprichard, MD, president of Epix, said that the study “demonstrates that EP-3533 can distinguish viable from non-viable myocardium, a potential large market opportunity in cardiovascular disease imaging. We intend to seek a partner or partners to continue to develop EP-3533 either individually or along with EP-2104R, a novel fibrin-binding thrombus (clot) imaging agent.” Collagen-rich fibrotic scar tissue is created in the myocardium during the healing process after myocardial infarction (MI). In this study, EP-3533 was given to mice 40 days following an MI. Following administration of EP-3533, strong enhancement of scar tissue began 10 minutes after the injection, with peak contrast between healthy and infarcted tissue observed 40 minutes after injection. Image enhancement with EP-3533 lasted for at least one hour. The results of this study show that molecular imaging of collagen with EP-3533 clearly distinguished healthy heart muscle from infarcted heart muscle. EPIX says that it has five internally-discovered therapeutic and imaging drug candidates in clinical trials targeting conditions such as depression, Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease and obesity.

• Health Discovery Corporation (Savannah, Georgia) reported that it has filed new patent applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and in the U.S. Receiving Office for the Patent Cooperation Treaty for U.S. and foreign patent protection for a newly discovered prostate cancer biomarker expression signature which is highly accurate for identifying prostate cancer. This new prostate cancer biomarker expression Signature was demonstrated to have a very high degree of accuracy as demonstrated by an area under the ROC curve of 94%. Health Discovery Corporation specializes in the field of pattern recognition.

• Response Biomedical (Vancouver, British Columbia) reported that the U.S. patent and trademark office has issued a notice of allowance for the patent, entitled “Sensitive Immunochromatographic Assay,” covering key aspects of Response’s lateral flow immunoassays with the RAMP point-of-care testing platform. Response makes diagnostic tests for use with its portable RAMP Platform for clinical and environmental applications.

• Royal Philips Electronics (Andover, Massachusetts) reported the release of its new vital signs monitor, the SureSigns VS3. Designed for use both in and out of the hospital, the monitor is suitable for general care wards, emergency departments, outpatient surgery and urgent care centers. Royal Phillips specializes in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring systems, energy-efficient lighting, personal care and home appliances, and consumer electronics.

• Thermo Fisher Scientific (Palm Springs, California) reported showcasing a spectrum of laboratory automation capabilities at LabAutomation 2007 designed to improve workflow efficiency and data reproducibility in two key areas of lab automation and drug discovery research: cell growth and analysis, and protein crystallization. Also featured will be a number of other technologies, including the Thermo Scientific Matrix PlateMate automated liquid-handler that can be integrated into other robotic systems, including the CataLyst Express robot. Thermo Fisher develops analytical instruments, laboratory equipment, software, services, consumables and reagents for integrated laboratory workflow.