Molecular Biology in Real Time: Carpegen Presents Novel Point-of-Care Diagnostic at Bio Europe

Muenster (Germany), October 30, 2012. “And when the lab results come in, we will make another appointment.” This typical statement of many doctors will soon be a thing of the past, according to Dr. Antje Roetger and Tilman Wolter. The two CEOs of Carpegen GmbH and Systec GmbH of Muenster and their teams have developed an automated miniature laboratory that enables molecular biology analytical processes directly at the point of care, for example at the doctor's office, hospital, or nursing home. Genetic markers or infectious agents, such as MRSA, can be precisely identified within half an hour and patients can be treated without delay. At the Bio Europe conference in Hamburg, November 12-14, Dr. Antje Roetger will present the fully automated real-time PCR system, called “Gyronimo”, publicly to an expert audience for the first time.

“Real-time PCR at the point of care will increase the speed of diagnosis significantly, while at the same time saving costs for patients, doctors and the healthcare system,” Systec CEO Tilman Wolter points out. Up until now, only specialized microbiology laboratories were capable of conductig real-time analyses based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Gyronimo, a complete system, opens the method to non-expert users for the first time. There will be no more shipments of samples to a laboratory, waiting for results, additional patient visits – or even initial wrong treatment approaches.

Increasing the Range of Applications with Project Partners

“The analytical range of the system can be adapted as needed,” Roetger explains. For example, the norovirus that infected more than 11,000 children and adolescents in school cafeterias throughout Germany in October could have been detected significantly faster using Gyronimo. “We are currently considering project partners for different kinds of applications, for example in environmental technology, the food industry, but of course primarily in medicine.”

Gyronimo consists of an analyzer and disposable cartridges. Each cartridge contains all reagents required for the analysis in a storable form, so that the real-time PCR system can be used with no expert knowledge. In a single run, Gyronimo detects the absolute frequencies of up to ten different marker organisms as well as total bacterial load of a sample. The quantitative analysis delivers highly reliable results. Along with personalized treatment recommendations, these can be delivered to a PC connected to the system. Depending on complexity, analyzing a sample takes only 30 to 60 minutes.

Gyronimo to Hit the Market in 2013/2014

Gyronimo is being developed by biotechnology firm Carpegen GmbH in Muenster in collaboration with mechatronics expert Systec, also located in Muenster, and the University of Bonn. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Commercialization is planned for the end of 2013 or early 2014.

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Background information: Carpegen
Founded in 2001, Carpegen GmbH is an innovative life sciences company and a specialist for the development and commercialization of point-of-care diagnostics and molecular biology diagnostic tests based on real-time PCR and DNA chip technology. Results serve as the basis for therapy selection by doctors. Dentists, for example, use Carpegen's Perio Diagnostics testing system to determine the best therapy for patients with gum disease (periodontitis). Other Carpegen testing systems characterize bacterial or fungal strains or are used for detection in human genetics. The company has won several awards for its research, for example a silver certificate in the 2008 Innovation Prize of the German Economy competition (Innovationspreis der deutschen Wirtschaft). Carpegen GmbH is headquartered in Muenster, Westfalia.

Background information: Systec
Systec's name stands for progressive ideas in industrial automation. Systec, headquartered in Muenster-Roxel, has a long tradition. The origins of the company date back to 1980. In 1996, Systec Elektronik and Software GmbH was founded. The company pursues the development of top-class mechatronical systems, such as DriveSets, ready-made positioning systems; Systec Automation Base, a program for manufacturing cells; Xemo, a motion control system; and innovative custom applications. All branches of mechatronics – mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and informatics – are handled by about 20 in-house specialists. Systec GmbH is the right partner for anything requiring to be moved and positioned automatically. Close collaboration between application and automation experts is a hallmark of the Münster-based company's competence. Systec customers value the company's complete service, starting from consultation to project design and construction to assembly and operation, not only in specialized mechanical engineering.

Carpegen GmbH
Yvonne Schoepe
Mendelstr. 11
48149 Münster, Germany
Phone: +49 (0)251 - 980 2320
schoepe@carpegen.de
www.carpegen.de

Systec GmbH
Ulrich Klose
Nottulner Landweg 90
48161 Münster, Germany
Phone: +49 (0)2534 - 8001165
u.klose@systec.de
www.systec.de

Agency:
co-operate Wegener & Rieke GmbH
Christian Rieke
Zumsandeplatz 32
48145 Münster, Germany
Phone: +49 (0)251 - 3222611
wort@co-operate.net
www.co-operate.net

This release was published on openPR.