Genalyte Launches Maverick ENA Kits For Fast, Easy And Accurate Multiplexed Autoimmune Testing

SAN DIEGO, July 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Genalyte, Inc., a life sciences company developing and commercializing innovative next generation multiplexing technology, today announced availability of the first assays for its Maverick™ Detection System -- the Maverick ENA 4 and ENA 6 Assay Kits.  The assays simultaneously screen for several of the most common autoantibodies found in autoimmune connective tissue disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).  Their simplified one-step workflow delivers accurate results in 15 minutes and can be run using very small volume samples from a variety of matrices, including serum and plasma.  The Maverick ENA 4 assay includes four multiplexed tests per sample while the ENA 6 assay covers six multiplexed tests per sample.  They are available to participants in Genalyte's Early Access program.

"The unique capabilities of our silicon photonics-based Maverick multiplexing technology are well suited for autoimmune testing," said Genalyte CEO Cary Gunn.  "Our first Maverick assays enable researchers to simultaneously assess the most common antibodies associated with SLE and other autoimmune connective tissue diseases.  Their easy-to-use workflow delivers highly accurate results in a fraction of the time formerly required." 

Genalyte's novel multiplexing technology simultaneously screens for the detection of autoantibodies using a one-step process that eliminates the washes, incubations, reagents and processing steps typically associated with other technologies.  Semi-quantitative results are reported for each analyte, eliminating the need for reflex testing. 

Dr. Gunn added, "We also are developing a number of higher plexed assays for autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease and others.  The Maverick Early Access program generated considerable interest at recent immunology meetings, and we look forward to working with our Early Access collaborators as they put the Maverick Detection system to work in their labs."

Maverick ENA 4 and ENA 6 assay results are highly reproducible, show excellent correlation to ELISA and are up to ten times more sensitive.  The Maverick ENA 4 assay tests for the presence of four of the most commonly measured extractable nuclear antigens (ENA), including SS-A, SS-B, Sm and RNP, while the Maverick ENA 6 assay includes two additional commonly measured antigens -- Scl-70 and Jo-1. 

Genalyte's Early Access program enables scientists to gain pre-launch access to multiplexed autoantibody assays and the Maverick Detection System, which uses a proprietary chip based on silicon photonics to simultaneously analyze multiple proteins from a single small sample.  The assays are simple to use and rapid -- results are available in only 15 minutes, including just two minutes of hands-on time.  The Maverick platform has a large dynamic range and excellent sensitivity, with outstanding reproducibility.

For more information about Genalyte, the Maverick platform and the Maverick ENA 4 and ENA 6 Assay Kits, visit www.genalyte.com.  The Maverick ENA 4 and ENA 6 Assays are currently available for research use only.

About Genalyte
Founded in 2007, Genalyte, Inc. is commercializing the Maverick™ detection platform based on the company's revolutionary Microring Sensor Technology™ a new approach to multiplexing that leverages advances in silicon photonics to reduce or eliminate sample preparation, provide scalable multiplexing for both proteins and nucleic acids from a single small sample, and achieve excellent sensitivity and up to eight logs of dynamic range.   

SOURCE Genalyte, Inc.