Panbio Executive Chairman Mr John Lee announced that Panbio's Advanced Technologies research team had completed the selection, development and validation of the enzyme fragments that form the backbone of the Forced Enzyme Complementation (FEC) system necessary to the development of diagnostic assays based on the concept of a Homogeneous Assay.

Homogeneous assays differ from conventional assay systems in that all of the elements necessary to detect an analyte, for example either a specific antibody or antigen, of the homogeneous system are contained within a single reagent pool. This has major time and cost advantages for the clinical laboratory using the system.

Panbio Advanced Technologies Division Research Manager Dr Edward Kachab said; "This is a significant achievement for the research team. We believe we are the first to demonstrate that a system such as FEC technology can perform effectively for in vitro diagnostic application.

"Previously published work has highlighted that similar approaches have suffered from high backgrounds and poor signal to noise ratios. We consider what we have achieved to be a first and is the essential step allowing us to move forward in developing prototype assays for infectious and other disease markers."

Panbio Chief Operating Officer and Head of the Advanced Technologies Division Dr Stuart Hazell, commenting on the achievement, said the milestone brings the technology one-step closer to commercialisation.

"With these results being achieved, we can now talk with a level confidence about realising a commercially viable homogeneous assay system," Hazell said. "We are now starting to actively promote the technology and begin discussions with potential partners who have an int
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Contact: AnnMaree Holmes
61-733-637-104
Research Australia
24-Nov-2005