Kitchener-based life sciences hardware developer Nicoya Lifesciences, a leader in label-free molecular analysis, has released its latest product, OpenSPR-XT, a fully automated molecular analysis instrument.
The new product is based on Nicoya’s successful OpenSPR instrument, which uses nano-technology to help scientists conduct research into the growing field of biotherapeutics. That is research into proteins that can be used to cure diseases.
Conducting such research until now has required access to a piece of equipment called surface plasmon resonance, or SPR. These devices cost about $250,000 and have additional monthly expenses. The costs are so high scientists often have to share them. But the OpenSPR only costs $15,000 and operates at lower costs.
The OpenSPR line uses proprietary nanotechnology-based sensors to provide high-quality molecular interaction data. By combining this technology with robust and user-friendly automation, OpenSPR-XT saves time, reduces errors, and improves data quality and repeatability, said Nicoya in a statement.
The new product provides critical data needed by life sciences researchers, such as binding kinetics, affinity, and specificity of proteins, antibodies, nucleic acids and small molecules.
“The launch of OpenSPR-XT addresses a major gap in the market,” said Nicoya CEO Ryan Denomme. “Most researchers could not afford to have a fully automated SPR solution in their own labs – they had to rely on costly outsourcing or using an inconvenient central lab facility. Now they can have a powerful, high-throughput instrument in their own lab, which will help accelerate new discoveries in fields like biotherapeutics.”
The company officially launched OpenSPR-XT at Peptalk 2016: The Protein Science Week in San Diego.
Nicoya got its start in 2012 when Denomme spun out the nanotechnology sensor technology from the University of Waterloo. The team understood there would be medical applications for the product, but chose the SPR market because it is a research device and therefore does not need regulatory approval.
Nicoya has worked with a range of mentorship groups – it’s a graduate of the Waterloo Accelerator Centre, Communitech’s Rev accelerator, and Velocity. Last year, it closed a round of funding from local angels as well as the MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund and BDC Capital.
