Sagitta is a molecular diagnostics (MDx) technology platform based on high multiplexing direct RT- PCR (Reverse Transcription – Polymerase Chain Reaction), capable of detecting and characterizing nucleic acids of viral, bacterial and eukaryotic origin.
Ulisse BioMed employs Sagitta to develop assays for Respiratory Viral Panel, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Infectious Diseases and Oncology.
With respect to competing technologies/products it has the following competitive hedges, according to the information provided by the company:
- Much more informative. The platform is able to identify multiple pathogens in the same analysis examining High Resolution Melting curves (HRM). While traditional PCR tests identify on average 1 to 6 targets per reaction, Sagitta discriminates simultaneously in a single reaction up to 20 different targets (multiplexing) using a single channel. In addition, Sagitta allows to develop assays able not only to detect but also to genotype up to 20 targets in one step, hence providing much more useful information within a single test;
- Faster and cheaper diagnostic workflow. The diagnostic analysis, using a specific reagent developed by UBM called UlisseFaster, can also be carried out directly without any pre- treatment aimed at the extraction and purification of nucleic acids (DNA/RNA), which is a costly and time-consuming process (management estimates saving to range between €3 and €8/test). Additional savings come from the optimization of wells and therefore processing capacity.
NanoHybrid
constitutes Ulisse BioMed’s most innovative and advanced technology platform. It is based on nano-switches, i.e. synthetic nanotechnology structures capable of instantaneously detecting protein biomarkers (including biological drugs) in complex biological matrices (blood serum, but whole blood sample and other matrices are under development). NanoHybrid platform can be implemented not only to develop diagnostic solutions but also in the field of theranostics – i.e. the integration of a diagnostic method with a specific therapeutic intervention aimed at maximizing the effectiveness of the drug, in particular for the drug monitoring – as well as vaccine/immunoterapies monitoring.
NanoHybrid can represent an effective alternative to ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay), currently considered the gold standard in immunological diagnostics, and to rapid lateral flow tests for portable diagnostics (POC). In fact, despite most of this technology applications are still under development, it seems to have a few key advantages:
- vs ELISA – ELISA success is due to its high sensitivity and to the fact that it provides a quantitative diagnosis of substances, including antibodies, antigens, proteins, glycoproteins, and hormones. However, ELISA is a multi-step technique that implies a long (2-3 hours) and complex workflow and this implies that very often it does not allow samples to be tested upon arrival but on week/half week batches, to gain cost efficiency. NanoHybrid can obtain the same quantitative results of ELISA in 1-5 minutes (vs 120-180 minutes);
- vs LFA (Lateral Flow Assays) – rapid tests have a competitive advantage with respect to ELISA in terms of rapidity and portability, but they provide only a qualitative and not quantitative result, as offered by nanoHybrid;
- vs innovative LFA (e.g. Monator by Aegirbio) – this innovative lateral flow test does offer a semi- quantitative results, but a) the test has to be carried in laboratory as the sample must be pre- treated by specialized personnel and b) the read-out requires a specific hardware. Hence it is not suitable for accurate results and for a full POC application.
Aptavir Ulisse BioMed has developed a technology platform for the identification and production of antiviral molecules, called aptamers, capable of limiting the infectivity of pathogens and that could be used for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes. Aptamers are one of only a few classes of molecules that, like antibodies, can be crafted to bind to multiple different targets: they are extremely versatile and bind targets with high selectivity and specificity.
The potential products that can be developed thanks to the Aptavir platform include, according to management plans, the following applications:
- Aptamers for therapeutic purposes. Ulisse BioMed has already developed aptamers for the treatment and prevention of cutaneous HPV, thus this technology can be used to produce aptamers aimed at the prevention and treatment of any pathogen. UBM plans to develop an aptamer to prevent and treat Sars-CoV-2, which could be integrated in a nasal spray;
- Additives for pharmaceuticals, medical devices and cosmetics. Aptamers could be additives for pharmaceutical or cosmetic products to enhance their therapeutic capabilities. For instance, they could be used in skin creams, oils, condom lubricants and genital gels in order to enhance their features for prevention or treatment of diseases.
UBM filed an international patent application in 2018 for aptamers for the prevention and treatment of HPV and is in the process of filing an international patent application related to aptamers for protection against Sars-CoV-2.
Aptamers might represent an effective and economical alternative to monoclonal antibodies. In fact, they have several advantages:
- They are faster and cheaper to produce, as once the optimal sequence has been selected, production of new batches of material is fast and inexpensive;
- can attack very small molecules, as aptamers are small and can penetrate tissues and cells and reach specific targets;
- less burdensome approval processes as aptamers’ production does not involve the use of biological material.
