Cancer diagnostics

Uniogen’s product portfolio includes unique glycovariant immunoassays for the early and timely diagnostics of cancer. Our assay technology is based on nanoparticles coated with glycan binders at a high density, which translates to an improved sensitivity and specificity compared to conventional biomarker assays. The functional binding affinity of a coated nanoparticle is superior to individual binders due to the high number of binder molecules on an individual particle. 

Uniogen’s first proprietary test for the early detection of ovarian cancer is currently under development. Although ovarian cancer is a common malignancy with a relatively high mortality, no clinical screening method or early-stage diagnostic tool has been available up to date. In addition, we have patents for testing of other cancer types, such as pancreatic, breast and intestinal cancers.

Ovarian Cancer Assay Kit with components

Publications

Uniogen’s cancer diagnostic platform is based on the research performed at and published by the University of Turku (see references below). The studies show that the concept of glycosylation specific immunoassays clearly outperform the currently used blood based markers in cancer diagnosis and monitoring. Uniogen owns several patents related to the technology and has performed inhouse research, which has led to the diagnostic product development at Uniogen.

  1. Bayoumy et.al., 2020 Commun. Biol, Glycovariant-based lateral flow immunoassay to detect ovarian cancer-associated serum CA125
  2. Gidwani et.al., 2016 Clin. Chem, A nanoparticle-lectin immunoassay improves discrimination of serum CA125 from malignant and benign sources
  3. Islam et.al., 2019 Sci reports, A Nanoparticle-Based Approach for the Detection of extracellular Vesicles
  4. Salminen et.al., 2020 Gyn Onc , A longitudinal analysis of CA125 glycoforms in the monitoring and follow up of high grade serous ovarian cancer
  5. Terävä et.al., 2019 PLOS, Lectin nanoparticle assays for detecting breast cancer-associated glycovariants of cancer antigen 15-3 (CA15-3) in human plasma
  6. Vinod et.al.,2021 Int J Mol Sci, Nanoparticle-aided detection of colorectal cancer-associated glycoconjugates of extracellular vesicles in human serum
  7. Jain et.al., 2022 Int J Cancer, Diagnostic potential of nanoparticle aided assays for MUC16 and MUC1 glycovariants in ovarian cancer

Abacus Diagnostica, Kaivogen and Labrox are now Uniogen

Uniogen is a global pioneer in clinical diagnostics, point-of-care testing, and instrumentation for life sciences.

Uniogen – Enabling diagnosis and care at first appointment