Vertebrate Antibodies Ltd (VAL), an Aberdeen University spinout and rising biotech, secured the funding with IMG, a number one specialist in modern options for speedy screening and analysis of ailments, to type a brand new holding firm referred to as EpitGenX.  

During the pandemic VAL used their EpitoPrediktTM and EpitoGen® Technologies to develop antibody Covid assessments as a part of the Scottish Government Chief Scientist Office Rapid Response in COVID-19 (RARC-19) analysis programme.  EpitogenX will concentrate on the event of those applied sciences to succeed in industrial maturity for widespread distribution. Read the full story of the covid test development process here.

EpitoPrediktTM an AI-driven system, was designed to establish particular parts, or ‘hot spots’, of the Covid virus that might set off the physique’s immune response. It will now be tailored to do the identical for particular ailments.   

EpitoGen® is a organic platform ‘scaffold’, developed to mix and show molecular parts as they would seem naturally within the pathogen or virus. This method enhances the check’s efficiency, improves sensitivity and, as was very important in the course of the pandemic, is versatile to include new strains and variants into the assessments.  

The potential purposes of the expertise are huge together with immunogenicity profiling, antibody manufacturing, nanobodies show, lab-based, point-of-care diagnostics and vaccine screening.   

The speedy goal for EpitogenX is to develop lab-based and point-of-care diagnostic assessments for Lyme illness and diabetes, each of that are notoriously troublesome to diagnose early sufficient to allow well timed intervention. The new assessments will likely be cheaper and most significantly, have larger total accuracy than presently out there assessments. 

The long-term imaginative and prescient is to supply a portfolio of diagnostic merchandise to detect autoimmune issues and infectious ailments. Ultimately, fine-tuning of the expertise may lead to wider purposes together with vaccines and safer therapeutics for a wide range of ailments.    

Dr Abdo Alnabulsi, cofounder and CEO of VAL, explains: “Our core technologies are poised to transform the diagnostic, vaccine, and therapeutic fields. Our platforms provide superior products and services compared to current alternatives, with unmatched accuracy, flexibility, and adaptability, all while remaining affordable and cost-effective. This ensures that the benefits of our technologies are available to the NHS, low- and middle-income countries, and even the less-funded veterinary sector.” 

Vertebrate Antibodies Ltd spun out from the University of Aberdeen in 2011 with the mission to bring their knowledge and expertise to industry and ultimately the patient.   

Dr Alnabulsi adds: “From the start, we set out to revolutionise the research and clinical sectors with innovative technologies. We’re thrilled to have found a partner in IMG who shares our vision and values and is equally committed to developing transformative products.” 

“I’m confident that this partnership will accomplish great things, and that our technology and products will make a global impact.”  

Professor Mirela Delibegovic from the University of Aberdeen, who worked alongside VAL to develop the Covid test, added: “This investment into VAL is testament to the innovative and pioneering technology that has come out of the team. The potential for this technology is boundless and I look forward to seeing it used clinically in the future.”  

Tiehui Wang, Cofounder and CSO of VAL, said: “The first part of our journey has been full of challenges, but we successfully achieved what we set out to do. Now in the second leg, we will work closely with the IMG team to roll out the next-generation tests and clinical products.”  

Ann Lewendon: “The VAL team, now EpitogenX, have always been visionaries, working to create disruptive platforms. I am glad to have been a part of their success story and witness their hard work come to fruition.”  

Dr Robbin Xu (director of EpitogenX and scientific advisor at IMG): “IMG is pleased with working with EpitoGenX. Their modern expertise and the devoted crew have us assured of their potential to make a breakthrough within the close to future.”