Arcis Biotechnology & Teleflex Sign License Agreement  

Arcis Biotechnology recently announced it has signed a technology access agreement with Teleflex Incorporated. Teleflex will harness Arcis’ advanced nucleic acid sample preparation chemistry in the development of a novel technology, which it believes will be disruptive, and is intended to empower clinicians and drive better patient outcomes.

Arcis’ product portfolio offers the possibility of earlier, more accurate diagnostics testing from a variety of sample types, using its rapid, two-step nucleic acid extraction and preservation technology. The company has an extensive patent portfolio covering DNA and RNA extraction and preservation for downstream processing by qPCR, RT-qPCR and sequencing in under 3 minutes. The speed, simplicity, and low-resource requirements of the platform provides an ideal solution for point-of-care, microfluidics, or field-based testing, and supports both companies’ drive to improve diagnostic testing and benefit patients and healthcare professionals.

“We are delighted that Teleflex has chosen to leverage the speed and simplicity of our sample preparation technology in its product development program. Obtaining genetic material from biological samples is a critical step in molecular biology processes, and we are excited to see our platform being applied across many different and growing markets,” said Peter Whitehurst, CEO, Arcis Biotechnology.

This news follows the announcement of a successful £1.25 million investment round and additional £0.5 million overfunding hosted by crowdfunding platform Capital Cell. Following Arcis’ recent development successes in the isolation and preservation of microRNA (miRNA) and oncology biomarkers, Arcis is now looking to invest further in R&D, product development, and to drive international business expansion. The additional £0.5 million from the Capital Cell funding round will underpin the company’s projected revenue growth and associated working capital requirements in the next 2 years.

Based at Sci-Tech Daresbury, one of the UK’s premier science parks, Arcis Biotechnology is focused on providing fast and convenient nucleic acid sample prep solutions. Obtaining genetic material from biological samples is a critical step which is often a time consuming and inefficient process. In less than three minutes, and with no prior sample preparation, the Arcis Sample Prep range of products allow users to quickly and conveniently go from cellular material to downstream nucleic acid investigation without the need for traditional isolation or purification. The process requires no laboratory equipment, and as little as 30µl of sample as starting material. The Arcis technology, including two CE marked in vitro diagnostic products, can be used on many different samples containing DNA and RNA, including whole blood, plasma, urine, buccal swabs, and soil and plant extracts, and is particularly effective at isolating pathogens for detection. For more information, visit www.arcisbio.com.

Teleflex is a global provider of medical technologies designed to improve the health and quality of people’s lives. We apply purpose driven innovation – a relentless pursuit of identifying unmet clinical needs – to benefit patients and healthcare providers. Our portfolio is diverse, with solutions in the fields of vascular and interventional access, surgical, anesthesia, cardiac care, urology, emergency medicine and respiratory care. Teleflex employees worldwide are united in the understanding that what we do every day makes a difference. For more information, visit www.teleflex.com.