New antibody detection platform offers accelerated multiplex detection of antibodies against pathogens or autoantibodies against biomarkers

VeraPrep Antibody Detection kit, to be introduced at AACC, allows researchers to measure antibodies against any antigen of interest in serum, plasma or saliva.

Austin, TX, September 27, 2021 -- Veravas, Inc., an early-stage diagnostics company, has announced the development of its VeraPrep™ Antibody Detection Kit, a new development platform that provides scientists with a state-of-the-art research tool to easily and quickly develop new tests to multiplex detect and measure immunoglobulins against new and emerging pathogens as well as autoantibodies against cardiac, neurologic, and cancer biomarkers. The ability to preanalytically remove sample interferences from a larger sample and subsequently concentrate makes it possible to detect antibodies in low abundance from serum, plasma, saliva, or saline oral rinse samples.

The patented VeraPrep process uses proprietary magnetic beads with unique, low nonspecific binding properties that isolate and remove interfering antibodies in the sample. With a cleaned sample, targeted IgA, IgG and IgM immunoglobulins can be concentrated, captured and multiplex measured in a single test using the kit’s proprietary reagent beads that are coated with the researcher’s antigen of interest.    

“The VeraPrep antibody detection technology offers a first of its kind platform that addresses unmet clinical needs,” said John Forrest, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Veravas. “There are numerous applications for this technology that we believe will support research and simplify and accelerate the development of a host of new serology and autoantibody tests in areas such as cardiology, neurology, oncology, immunology and drug development.”

The VeraPrep Antibody Detection Kit is intended for Research Use Only (RUO) and includes all reagents required to support researchers’ test developments for up to 50 samples, in configurations for Serum/Plasma or Saliva/Saline Oral Rinse.

About Veravas

Veravas is transforming laboratory medicine with a first of its kind, patented antibody detection platform to address unmet clinical needs. This innovative technology uses proprietary nano-sized magnetic beads to preanalytically clean interferences and capture and measure IgA, IgG and IgM immunoglobulins against any antigen of interest. To learn more about the company’s technologies and clinical applications, visit www.veravas.com

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PRESS CONTACT

Available for interview

John Forrest
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Veravas, Inc.
john@veravas.com

512.489.1731

Veravas and MIP Diagnostics Announce International Agreement for Improved Diagnostics

‍CHARLESTON, S.C. and OAKDALE, Minn., March, 13 2020, - Veravas, Inc., an emerging diagnostic company focusing on sample preparation products and new diagnostic tests and MIP Diagnostics Ltd.,the Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) specialist based in Sharnbrook, United Kingdom,announced today that they have entered into a mutually beneficial agreement for the development, license, and supply of a novel MIP specific for Veravas’ proprietary sample preparation technology.

Veravas is targeting two key issues within the field of diagnostics. The first is the widespread issue of diagnostic interferences – substances like biotin that alter routine test results. The second is the difficulty in measuring biomarkers of low abundance.Our proprietary technology and strategic partnerships allow us to move the needle on what’s possible to measure to better diagnose and treat rare and common diseases.

MIP Diagnostics Ltd. is active in a number of fields including Human Healthcare, Oil and Gas and Research Reagents and sees this relationship as part of its continued expansion strategy in diagnostics where the benefits of MIPs allow for better solutions to be developed over previously existing technologies.

The combination of Veravas’ sample preparation technology and MIP Diagnostics technology and manufacturing capabilities in Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) will result in the creation of novel products to help diagnostic companies manage risks associated with troublesome interferences in current test designs. The long-term benefits of this collaboration could have significant impact over existing methods and generate significant revenues for both companies.

Stephane Argivier, Interim CEO, MIP Diagnostics Ltd. said “We are excited to work with Veravas on this joint approach to sample preparation and continue to expand further our MIP relationships for commercial applications in a diversity of market areas. This is another huge opportunity for the company to develop a long term highly profitable business with a remarkable partner.”

“This new strategic relationship with MIP Diagnostics will allow Veravas to complete its biotin ecosystem of products and support IVD manufacturers in designing and developing assays that are minimally affected by biotin and other common heterophilic interferences,” said Carroll E. Streetman Jr., CEO, Veravas. “We consider this to be a valuable alliance as the combination of our two technologies supports Veravas’s efforts to bring novel diagnostic tests to market in the fields of neuroscience, bone and mineral metabolism, and cardiology.”

About Veravas

Veravas is transforming laboratory medicine with technology that delivers superior test results,providing confidence to clinicians and patients that diagnoses are accurate.The company is rapidly driving the commercialization of proprietary sample preparation products and new diagnostic tests.Veravas’ nanomagnetic particles can identify, remove, and measure select substances from patient samples to reduce the effects of complex interferences and detect low-abundance biomarkers. Led by a passionate and dedicated team, Veravas is devoted to improving patient lives by minimizing the harmful effects of unnecessary treatments and deaths associated with poor quality diagnostic results. Because every patient deserves the correct result, every time. To learn more about our technologies and clinical applications,visit veravas.com.

Media Contact
‍John Forrest
Veravas
‍media@veravas.com 
(626) 244-2257

About MIP Diagnostic Ltd.

MIP Diagnostics Limited develops and manufactures nanoMIPs, linear MIPs, bulk MIP and Rationally Designed Polymers using its proprietary processes. Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) are ‘synthetic’ affinity reagents and the nanoMIPformat provides a more robust alternative to antibodies, typically with similar or greater affinity coupled with additional unique characteristics for detection, separation, imaging, and cofactor applications.

MediaContact
MIP Diagnostics Ltd.
Lisa Thurston,
enquiries@mip-dx.com

+44(0)1234 589725

Veravas Raises $4 Million in Seed Funding

CHARLESTON, S.C. and OAKDALE, Minn., February 18, 2020 - Veravas, Inc. a diagnostic company founded in Charleston, S.C. announced today a significant milestone, reaching a total of $4 million in funding from private investors through the issuance of convertible notes.

Veravas develops proprietary sample pretreatment products and new diagnostic tests to provide laboratories with high-value solutions for the accurate diagnoses of some of the world's most devastating diseases.

Veravas is also building new strategic collaborative partnerships to bring other diagnostic applications to the clinical in vitro diagnostics market. A recent partnership announcement with Tymora Analytical will focus on developing the world’s first diagnostic test for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) from human plasma samples as an alternative to current cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) neuromarkers testing.

Veravas’ proprietary sample preparation technology uses nanomagnetic beads that can be added to patient test samples. This core technology enables the simple, efficient and cost effective capture of specific substances for removal and to concentrate and quantify those factors for improved measurement of complex biomarkers.

“We are confident in the value of our technology. Continuation of this funding round is crucial for advancing our work to set the stage for a Series A equity funding round slated for later this year,” stated Carroll E. Streetman Jr., CEO, Veravas. “We will continue our convertible note round of funding until Series A is complete. The funds are being used to expand our research and development staff, build product inventory, and continue our focused B2B commercialization activities.”

About Veravas

Veravas is transforming laboratory medicine with technology that delivers superior test results, providing confidence to clinicians and patients that diagnoses are accurate. The company is rapidly driving the commercialization of proprietary sample preparation products and new diagnostic tests. Veravas’ nanomagnetic particles can identify, remove, and measure select substances from patient samples to reduce the effects of complex interferences and detect low-abundance biomarkers. Led by a passionate and dedicated team, Veravas is devoted to improving patient lives by minimizing the harmful effects of unnecessary treatments and deaths associated with poor quality diagnostic results. Because every patient deserves the correct result, every time. To learn more about our technologies and clinical applications, visit veravas.com.

Media Contact
‍Christina Creager
Veravas
‍media@veravas.com 
(612) 587-2733    

Veravas and Tymora Collaborate on Early Detection Alzheimer’s Testing

CHARLESTON,S.C. and OAKDALE, Minn., January, 13 2020, - Veravas, Inc. and Tymora Analytical Operations, LLC announced today that they have entered into a strategic alliance to explore the integration of their respective technologies. Veravas is an emerging diagnostic company focused on proprietary sample preparation products and new diagnostic tests. Tymora’s focus is on providing diagnostic and therapeutic biomarker discovery contract services and products. Together, they will aim to enrich and measure circulating biomarkers for use in non-invasive early-stage Alzheimer’s Disease(AD) diagnostics and other applications in the global life sciences research and clinical in vitro diagnostics markets. 

It is estimated that 5.8 million Americans currently live with Alzheimer’s disease, and this number is projected to increase to 14 million by 2050. The consensus is arising in the field that to treat AD effectively, early detection is a must. Because current biomarker analysis procedures are long and cumbersome, there is a critical need for a novel minimally invasive and cost-effective diagnostic assay to facilitate routine screening and early detection of AD.

Using Veravas’ proprietary sample prep technology in conjunction with Tymora’s extracellular vesicle enrichment technology, the partnership will focus on developing the world’s first diagnostic test for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) from human plasma samples as an alternative to current cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) neuromarker testing. Early detection is key to favorable patient outcomes with new and emerging AD therapeutics, and plasma diagnostic testing will facilitate routine screening, early detection and companion diagnostic testing for AD.

“Despite significant advancement in Alzheimer’s Disease research,no effective screening test for early diagnosis of AD exists today. This partnership will allow us to pursue the combination of our sample prep and biomarker technologies so we can quickly address some of the biggest challenges impacting the neuroscience IVD market, starting with Alzheimer’s Disease,”stated Carroll E. Streetman Jr., CEO, Veravas.

“We couldn’t be more excited that Veravas shares our commitment to the development of early detection biomarkers for hard to diagnose diseases,”said Anton Iliuk, Ph.D., President and CTO, Tymora. “The implementation of plasma testing for early-stage diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease is critical for effective treatment, and this new partnership allows us both to expand our resources to favorably impact LDT and IVD assay development and performance.”

About Veravas

Veravas is transforming laboratory medicine with technology that delivers superior test results, providing confidence to clinicians and patients that diagnoses are accurate. The company is rapidly driving the commercialization of proprietary sample preparation products and new diagnostic tests. Veravas’ nanomagnetic particles can identify, remove,and measure select substances from patient samples to reduce the effects of complex interferences and detect low-abundance biomarkers. Led by a passionate and dedicated team, Veravas is devoted to improving patient lives by minimizing the harmful effects of unnecessary treatments and deaths associated with poor quality diagnostic results. Because every patient deserves the correct result, every time. To learn more about our technologies and clinical applications, visit  veravas.com.

Contact
‍Christina Creager
Veravas
‍media@veravas.com 
(612) 587-2733

‍About Tymora Analytical

Tymora Analytical Operations provides therapeutic and diagnostic biomarker discovery and development contract services and products to enable its partners and clients to achieve their drug development and IVD/LDT goals.Tymora's primary mission is to enable the shift from tissue to liquid biopsy.Tymora’s platform technology for extracellular vesicles, EVtrap®, facilitates the detection of active disease markers directly from plasma, urine, or saliva.

Contact
Tymora Analytical Operations
Anton Iliuk, President & CTO
anton.iliuk@tymora-analytical.com(765) 490-6834

The FDA Warns that Biotin Interferes with Troponin Lab Tests

November 5th - Today, the FDA issued an updated warning of biotin interference with certain laboratory tests. The FDA remains concerned about certain laboratory tests that have not addressed the risk of biotin interference. For example, the FDA has continued to receive adverse events reports indicating biotin interference caused falsely low troponin results.

Veravas Featured in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal

On June 27, Alex Wittenberg at the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal published a profile of Veravas, highlighting both its long-term potential in the billion-dollar IVD market and the upcoming launch of its first suite of products.

“Veravas Inc., founded last year, says it's developed a novel technology with the potential to change the way conditions such as Alzheimer's and sleep apnea are diagnosed. If successful, the company, whose chief lab is in Oakdale, could make a splash in the billion-dollar in-vitro diagnostics market. But first, Veravas plans to take on a narrower issue with a product launch next month: the contamination of blood tests by biotin…”

Veravas is headquartered in Oakdale’s Incubology Center, an important hub for biotech and healthcare innovation in the Minneapolis/St. Paul region. The article included insights from Veravas Chief Scientific Officer Josh Soldo, who elaborated on the issue of biotin interference in diagnostic tests and the impact this can have on patients.

See here for the full article here, titled “Urine test for sleep apnea? Soon, says new Twin Cities diagnostics startup:”

Veravas Announces Appointments of Chief Scientific Officer and Chief Clinical Officer

Company secured more than $2 million in seed funding to support advancement and commercialization of sample prep technology and novel diagnostic tests

Charleston, S.C. and Oakdale, Minn., June 19, 2019 – Veravas, Inc., an emerging diagnostic company, appointed Joshua Soldo as the chief scientific officer and Carmen Wiley, Ph.D., as chief clinical officer. Mr. Soldo and Dr. Wiley have made significant contributions towards the development of Veravas technology and as part of the executive team, they will support the advancement and commercialization of the company’s breakthrough sample prep products and novel diagnostics tests.

“At Veravas, we are working to bring diagnostic solutions to market that will lead a transformation for laboratory medicine focused on delivering superior test results. Josh and Carmen are an invaluable part of this journey – Josh pioneered the nano magnetic technology behind Veravas and Carmen’s collaborative efforts with the scientific and medical communities have further refined our solution to meet the needs of the laboratory industry,” said John Forrest, founder and chief executive officer of Veravas. “I look forward to continuing to collaborate with them to commercialize our technology for improving test precision to ultimately provide clinicians and patients with more confidence in diagnostic results.”‍

Mr. Soldo brings more than 20 years of experience in the diagnostics, life science and health care markets. He is a subject matter expert in assay development and solid phase chemistry with multiple patents and publications. Previously, he had a role in medical and scientific affairs, cardiac at Roche Diagnostics, where he developed and maintained relationships with the medical and scientific community and collaborated with investigators, clinicians, and institutions. In this role, he specialized in comprehensive knowledge in cardiac care and cardiac biomarkers, and applied a broad knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures in the field of cardiology. Prior to this, Mr. Soldo was vice president, scientific affairs at Anteo Diagnostics Limited, where he accelerated the expansion and market penetration of the company’s patented Mix&Go™ product into North America and Europe. Additional roles include corporate director, scientific affairs at DiaSorin and senior development scientist, research and development at Beckman Coulter. Mr. Soldo holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Minnesota where he graduated with honors.

“In vitro diagnostics have come a long way in the preceding decades, but due to interferences within patient samples, challenges still remain in ensuring results that patients and physicians receive are as accurate and reliable as possible,” said Mr. Soldo. “I am thrilled to bring my proprietary technology to Veravas and support the vision of improving patient lives by minimizing unnecessary treatments associated with poor quality diagnostic results.”‍

Dr. Wiley is a highly-recognized clinical leader in chemistry and laboratory medicine who brings more than 18 years of experience in clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine. She is currently the President of American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC). Prior to Veravas, she was a regional manager of scientific affairs at Roche Diagnostics. In this role, she supported scientific information exchange in the area of cardiac biomarkers and was responsible for leading relationship development with the medical and scientific communities. Prior to this, Dr. Wiley was the scientific director at Pathology Associates Medical Laboratories where she had medical and scientific oversight responsibilities for all laboratory testing and research and development. Other roles include co-director of chemistry, immunology, and point of care at Providence Health and Services, Sacred Heart Hospital, and head of clinical chemistry in the division of laboratory medicine and pathology at the Marshfield Clinic. Dr. Wiley earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Minnesota, where she graduated with honors, and her master and doctoral degrees in organic chemistry from University of Washington, and was a COMACC Accredited Fellow at the Mayo School of Medicine. She is board certified by American Board of Clinical Chemistry and a Fellow of the Academy of AACC.

“There is so much opportunity to improve diagnosis for a number of diseases that have very low levels of detectable biomarkers,” said Dr. Wiley. “Veravas’ nano magnetic particles offer a solution for identifying and accurately quantifying these low abundance biomarkers, which could help develop clinically relevant assays for diseases that have traditionally been difficult to diagnose. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with the diagnostics community as an executive team member at Veravas and bringing these innovations to scientists, clinicians, and patients.”

To date, the company has secured more than $2 million in seed funding and is preparing to launch its first suite of products.‍

About Veravas
‍Veravas is transforming laboratory medicine with technology that delivers superior test results, providing confidence to clinicians and patients that diagnoses are accurate. The company is rapidly driving the commercialization of proprietary sample preparation products and new diagnostic tests. Veravas’ nano magnetic particles can identify, remove, and measure select substances from patient samples to reduce the effects of complex interferences and detect low-abundance biomarkers. Led by a passionate and dedicated team, Veravas is devoted to improving patient lives by minimizing the harmful effects of unnecessary treatments and deaths associated with poor quality diagnostic results. Because every patient deserves the correct result, every time. To learn more about our technologies and clinical applications, visit veravas.com.

Media Contact
‍Christina Creager
Veravas
‍media@veravas.com
(612) 587-2733