VALENCIA, SPAIN -- November 16, 2017 -- InvestorsHub NewsWire --
Zenosense, Inc. (OTC
PINK: ZENO) ("Zenosense", the "Company"), a
healthcare technology company primarily focused on the development
and commercialization of MIDS Cardiac™, a Point of Care ("POC")
handheld device for the early detection of certain cardiac event
biomarkers to significantly accelerate the triage, diagnosis,
treatment and disposition of patients reporting chest pain and with
suspected acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), is pleased to
announce that its MIDS Medical Limited joint venture ("MML") based
at Sci-Tech, Daresbury (UK), has successfully completed initial
testing of its "Hybrid Strip" system.
The MIDS Hybrid Strip system replicates, as closely as possible,
a fully integrated Lab on Chip (LoC) MIDS test strip set-up.
Testing was conducted on both the assembled Hybrid unit and its
electronic and microfluidic components separately, focusing mainly
on the electronics of the magnetic sensing system.
MML testing
Initially a single 100µm (pure magnetite) particle was used to
"coarsely tune" the magnet set up and electronic processing system.
This particle produced a relatively large signal to noise ratio
("SNR") of around 10:1, making it relatively easy to work
with.
Subsequent testing revealed that low volumes of smaller, assay
sized beads produce lower SNRs. The assay beads tested contain
significantly less magnetic material per volume (due to composite
bead construction and voids between them). Consequently it was
necessary to further filter the inherent electronic noise to
isolate the magnetic detection signal in a very high amplification
environment, to increase the SNR.
MML methodically addressed this highly complex problem by
improving the noise filtering and applying shielding &
electronic component refinements, thereby achieving a ~60% net
improvement in the SNR, to acceptable levels.
Testing was carried out by presenting reducing amounts of a
variety of commercially available assay beads and nanoparticles to
the Hall sensing electronics by a micropipette dosed
carrier. MML tested seven assay bead samples from four leading
manufacturers, generally in the size range of 0.5µm to 5 µm. These
were mainly composite beads selected for their uniformity and
handling characteristics, but having less than ideal magnetic
values to challenge the detection system. In addition one
sample of coated magnetite beads with more easily detected, higher
magnetic values, was also tested. Ultimately, a bead type with the
ideal combination of assay suitability and magnetic value will be
selected for an assay to be embodied on the MIDS LoC test
strip.
Results:
- All the beads could be magnetically detected in very low
quantities, including samples of beads that were previously
undetectable in the last round of testing.
In a number of instances the current Limit of Detection appears to
be already at or near to the range advised by assay consultants as
suitable for a high sensitivity troponin assay.
Crucially, all the beads displayed an excellent and reliable Log2
linear response (the signal doubling with a doubled quantity of
beads) which is key to accurate quantitation.
MML regards these results as in line with its development plan
and extremely encouraging; the Hybrid set up is necessarily
constrained by its SOT-143 resin packaged sensors. This limits how
closely the beads can be presented to the sensor. A final LoC
strip, with unpackaged sensors, is expected to deliver considerably
higher sensitivity, enabling the detection of even lower numbers of
beads. On-going electronics optimization is also expected to
improve the overall performance. MML is therefore confident that
these factors in combination should enable detection of most, if
not all, of the particles tested to be detected at a suitably low
level allowing excellent flexibility to select the optimal
commercially available bead type for a high sensitivity troponin
assay.
Successful microfluidic flow testing of the Hybrid strip was
also conducted. Commercial composite beads were magnetically
captured after passing through a hydrophilic channel to collect in
the very small detection area, exactly as planned. This testing has
also revealed a fluid signal effect on top of the magnetic
detection signal, which is expected to be routinely addressed in
the next iteration of the Hybrid strip, currently being designed as
part of the ongoing R&D process.
Work is now being carried out to finalise the Hybrid strip and
to carry out more quantitative testing. MML will be working closely
with its assay consultants throughout this process and a full
update and quantitative results will be provided upon completion of
this crucial stage.
Dr Nasser Djennati, Managing Director and Chief
Scientific Officer of MML, commented: "These results come
in at the very high end of detection expectations, even at this
Hybrid strip stage. As we move forward into true Lab on Chip
construction I expect detection levels to improve further
still."
About Zenosense, Inc.
Zenosense Inc.'s primary focus, through our joint venture
ownership in MIDS Medical Ltd., is the development of a
cost-effective, hand-held Point of Care rapid cardiac diagnostic
device, MIDS Cardiac™, and is also the holder of an exclusive
global license agreement to develop and market effective medical
devices for use in hospitals and primary healthcare settings
targeting the early detection of both deadly bacteria and certain
cancers in the exhaled breath of patients.
To find out more about Zenosense (OTC
PINK: ZENO), visit our website at www.zenosense.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this news release that are not statements of
historical fact are forward-looking statements, which are subject
to certain risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements
can often be identified by words such as "expects," "intends,"
"plans," "may," "could," "should," "anticipates," "likely,"
"believes" and words of similar import. Forward-looking
statements are based on current facts and analyses and other
information that are based on forecasts of future results,
estimates of amounts not yet determined and assumptions of
management. Actual results may differ materially from those
expressed or implied by forward-looking statements due to a variety
of factors that may or may not be foreseeable or within the
reasonable control of the Company. Readers are cautioned not
to place undue reliance on such forward-looking
statements. Additional information on risks and other factors
that may affect the business and financial results of the Company
can be found in filings of the Company with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission, including without limitation the section
entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2016 filed on filed on April 17,
2017, and in Company reports filed subsequently
thereto. Except as otherwise required by law, the Company
disclaims any obligations or undertaking to publicly release any
updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained in
this news release to reflect any change in the Company's
expectations with regard thereto or any change in events,
conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
Respective statements concerning the development of both MIDS
Cardiac™ and other devices under development have been made based
on information obtained from MIDS Medical Ltd. and Zenon Biosystem,
which the Company believes to be accurate, but have not been
independently verified.