Aushon Launches Cira™ Multiplex Protein Biomarker Platform, Achieving ELISA-Level Performance in a Multiplex Format

BILLERICA, Massachusetts, June 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Aushon announced the launch of Cira, a new multiplex immunoassay platform that achieves the sensitivity and reproducibility of singleplex ELISA, while substantially improving ease of use and leveraging the benefits of parallel analysis. The system's revolutionary design produces faster results at a lower cost per sample and higher throughput without compromising the quality or consistency scientists need for their clinical studies. 

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Aushon achieved these breakthroughs from four synergistic, proprietary inventions: ultra-precise microarray printing, a novel circular assay design, a new high-resolution imager with built-in acquisition algorithms and a sophisticated bioinformatics engine to generate user data within minutes.  Aushon's proprietary printing technology improves performance by placing analytes precisely in a unique, circular pattern that optimizes the fluidic properties for each Ciraplex™ assay. The Cirascan™ astronomy-grade imaging system captures multiple, high-resolution images for each chemiluminescent array plate in order to maximize sensitivity and dynamic range. Finally, the sophisticated, built-in Cirasoft™ software analyzes only the precise coordinates of the spotted features, thereby reducing "noise" and leading to improved performance.

"We're very pleased with the market's enthusiasm for our new platform," said Pete Honkanen, Founder and CEO of Aushon. "With the Cira launch, we are now poised to be the platform of choice for protein biomarker analysis and make a substantial contribution to the revolution in personalized medicine." 

Personalized medicine, expected to reach $20 billion by 2014, is driving the growth in the biomarker market.  In 2010 MarketsandMarkets, of Dallas Texas, estimated worldwide spending on protein biomarker research for oncology alone was $650 million.

Several leading pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions, including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Duke University Medical Center, have already adopted Aushon's new platform. These customers served as beta sites over the past several months. "In addition to these early access customers, we are engaged with several CROs who plan to adopt our new platform," said Joe Blanchard, Chief Business Officer. "We're also thrilled to have both diagnostic companies and clinical labs evaluating the platform as alternatives to their current singleplex ELISA-based methods."

An expanding menu of Ciraplex assays spanning multiple disease states is available to scientists worldwide.  Aushon's products are available through a direct sales team in North American and Europe, along with the Fisher Scientific organization in North America and several distributors throughout Asia.

For more information on the Cira platform, please visit: www.aushon.com.

About Aushon

Aushon BioSystems provides a comprehensive suite of multiplex immunoassay products and services for protein biomarker discovery, development, and analysis to leading pharmaceutical, academic, and diagnostic clients worldwide. Our unique combination of proprietary microarray printing, extensive biomarker content, and our innovative Cira immunoassay platform deliver exceptional performance, quality, and reliability to accelerate biomarker research. Our customers, who include the top pharmaceutical and biotech companies, trust Aushon to supply the most reliable biomarker data available.

Aushon Contact:

Rocco Raduazo
Vice President, Sales & Marketing 
Rocco.Raduazo@aushon.com  

T: +1-978-436-6400 (domestic) 
T: +1-978-436-6400 (international) 
F: +1 978-667-3970
E-mail: info@aushon.com