Phthisis Diagnostics made the front page of the The Daily Progress Charlottesville Business Journal on January 16, 2011.  Dr. Icenhour is pictured on the cover page showing components of the E-Sphere® DNA Extraction Kit followed with the caption”Boom in Biotech bucks: Area groups awarded total of 1.8 million in state grants.” Read More…

We are honored to receive these grants to continue moving forward with our work in molecular diagnostics and congratulations to all the other local grant recipients!

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                

Phthisis Diagnostics
Wins Over $500,000 in Virginia Grant Awards

Charlottesville-based Phthisis Diagnostics, Inc.  has been awarded over half a million dollars in a combination of grants from the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Phthisis will receive a Commercialization Program grant of $499,477 and a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Matching Funds award for $49,400 (total of $548,877) through the Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund (CRCF).

On Wednesday, Virginia’s Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) announced that the company was one of 22 Virginia organizations to receive a total of over $3.6 million in funding for a variety of projects to support innovation and business growth in the state.  The bid solicitation generated more than 90 eligible proposals for over $21 million in requested funding spanning a range of industries identified as priority areas for the Commonwealth.  Phthisis Diagnostics received one of only four grants awarded in the Commercialization Program.  Two other Charlottesville-based companies, Hemoshear, LLC and Retivue, LLC, also received Commercialization Program awards.  According to Crystal Icenhour, PhD, President and Chief Science Officer of Phthisis Diagnostics, “This funding will support development and launch of two molecular diagnostic kits that will fulfill a critical need for better diagnosis of intestinal parasites.  We are honored to receive this commercialization support from the Commonwealth of Virginia.”  Phthisis sought the grant   funding to facilitate its Commercialization of Cryptosporidium/Giardia Molecular Diagnostic.  Companies developing new technology often find it somewhat easier to secure research funding than to develop the resources that will enable them to bring their product to market.  Commercialization grants fill an important gap, especially for small, innovative firms.

Infectious disease is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of death worldwide.  Quickly identifying and targeting the disease with appropriate intervention can save lives and healthcare costs on a massive scale.  Molecular diagnostic technology is a quicker and more accurate method for identifying the pathogen responsible for a patient’s illness.

About Phthisis Diagnostics

Phthisis Diagnostics, founded in 2005, is a rapidly growing biotechnology company developing the Simply Molecular® product catalog, a range of innovative molecular diagnostic products designed for speed, accuracy, and ease of use.  The Simply Molecular® catalog offers solutions for DNA Extraction, Molecular Diagnostics, and Laboratory Quality Control.

The company launched its first product in May 2011 with the E-Sphere™ Stool DNA Extraction Kit.  Such an extraction process from a specimen must be done before any diagnostic process can proceed.  Laboratories have expressed their need for a faster, simpler method to purify genomic DNA from human stool samples prior to their full analysis to determine the exact disease causing a patient’s symptoms.  Faster speed not only allows the lab to achieve greater efficiency in processing samples, but it also plays an important role in getting effective treatment started as quickly as possible.  Faster, effective treatment of infections can be life saving, especially when the patient is an infant or elderly patient.

The E-Sphere™ Stool DNA Extraction Kit answers the market need for speed with the added benefits of accuracy, greater cost effectiveness, reduced risk of sample contamination, and improved safety for lab technicians.  The process requires only standard clinical laboratory equipment.

For more information about Phthisis Diagnostics, please visit
www.phthisisdiagnostics.com.

About Crystal Icenhour, PhD

In 2006, Crystal Icenhour, PhD, became President and Chief Science Officer for Phthisis Diagnostics, located in Charlottesville, VA.  She is also an adjunct assistant professor at Duke University Medical Center’s Division of Infectious Diseases in their
Department of Medicine.  She has demonstrated business leadership in addition to her scientific capabilities and has expressed a goal of “bridging the translational gap between these two worlds.”

Dr. Icenhour has authored seven patents, has authored and co-authored 14 research articles, and has been a prolific speaker and presenter at scientific conferences.  She has served on review panels for the National Science Foundation and Environmental Protection Agency Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants.  Dr. Icenhour currently serves on the board of the Virginia Biotechnology Association and on the editorial board for the Journal of Microbiological Methods.  She is a member of the Charlottesville Business Innovation Council, Sigma Xi, Medical Mycology Society of the Americas, National Postdoctoral Association, and the American Society for Microbiology.

About Molecular Diagnostics 

Innovations in molecular diagnostics have increased with the growth in understanding of the human genome and how DNA and RNA function at the molecular level. As understanding has increased, so has the demand for the development of molecular
diagnostic methods for improving sensitivity and speed. With increased demand by hospitals and clinical laboratories for molecular diagnostics to improve diagnosis, innovations have led to new products and kits that increase the reliability and speed. The ultimate goal is fast and accurate diagnosis to improve patient outcomes.

Hospitals and diagnostic laboratories are turning to molecular diagnostic methods to guarantee the highest levels of reliability and the greatest speed. Reliability is essential, because an inaccurate or missed diagnosis can be a matter of life and death. Another issue driving the need for new molecular diagnostics is the ability of microorganisms to evade and even inactivate potent antibiotics, causing health care providers to be faced with substantial infectious disease challenges. The varieties of technologies used in molecular diagnostics have transformed clinical laboratory medicine. Market analysts are predicting a 15% increase in the molecular diagnostic market over the next several years.

About the Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund (CRCF)

 The Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund (CRCF) advances science- and technology-based research, development, and commercialization to drive economic growth in Virginia and to encourage collaboration among its institutions of higher education and partnerships between these colleges and universities and business and industry.  The General Assembly appropriated $6 million to the Fund for FY2012, with $2 million designated for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) matching program.  Underlying the overall program is the strategy to enhance economic development through technology research and commercialization to successfully bring new ideas to the marketplace.

CONTACT:       Dory Hulse, Media Relations

434-964-1037 or (cell) 434-242-1333

Dory1333@embarqmail.com

Company exhibit at AMP 2011 to feature Evaluation Program

Phthisis Diagnostics will introduce its DNA extraction kit to the pathology market at the annual meeting and exhibition of the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP 2011) November 17‐19 in Grapevine, Texas (Dallas/Ft. Worth area). Phthisis Diagnostics, based in Charlottesville, VA, triggered strong market interest in previous clinical laboratory and microbiology exhibitions over the summer.

The company’s product, the E‐Sphere® Stool DNA Extraction Kit, is the first in a series of products under development for Phthisis Diagnostics’ Simply Molecular® catalogue and slated for release over the next two years.

This first kit is a uniquely efficient way to extract DNA from stool and other complex samples and a major improvement over competing processes. It takes only nine steps instead of 32; requires only two sample transfers, reducing potential contamination risks; and it processes 12 samples in 30 minutes instead of in two hours. Results are more accurate and there is less waste material for laboratory disposal. The increased workflow efficiency and productivity for laboratories means significant cost savings and greater capacity. The product’s ability to produce high quality DNA in a cost effective way makes it an ideal first step for a number of other companies’ diagnostic tests.

As part of the product launch, Phthisis Diagnostics’ President Crystal Icenhour, PhD, has announced a special E‐Sphere® Stool DNA Extraction Kit Evaluation Program. “We want to give potential customers an opportunity to gain first ‐hand experience with our extraction kit and our Simply Molecular® technology and we’re interested in their feedback. This Evaluation Program includes a quick survey we ask participants to complete and it provides a free Evaluation Kit (one kit with 10 extractions), a 50% discount on the retail price of Validation Kit (up to 3 kits with 50 extractions each), and a 30% discount on their first order of any quantity after completion of the Validation. Our technologists are also on hand to provide detailed and customized technical support, when needed.”

Infectious disease is the fourth most common cause of death in the United States and the leading cause worldwide. Recent news headlines have demonstrated the impact of water and food ‐borne illness – whether from contaminated vegetables in cosmopolitan cities or unclean rural water sources in developing or ravaged countries. Rapid and specific diagnosis not only provides better outcomes for patients, but also plays an important role in resolving epidemic crises. Phthisis Diagnostics products will play a key role in improving health care while also saving on health care costs.

Phthisis Diagnostics will also exhibit in a series of State Fall Meetings of the South Central Association for Clinical Microbiology (Flatwoods, West Virginia on September 30; Bardstown, Kentucky on October 14; Plainfield, Indiana on October 17; Howell, Michigan on October 27; and Columbus, Ohio on October 31).

Phthisis Diagnostics is an innovative biotechnology company developing rapid, simple, and reliable solutions for nucleic acid extraction, molecular diagnostics, and laboratory quality control – all aimed to produce quicker diagnostic results and more accurate treatment for better and more cost ‐effective patient care. For more information, visit www.phthisisdiagnostics.com.

CONTACT: Dory Hulse, Media Relations

434-964-1037 or 434-242-1333 (mobile)

Dory1333@embarqmail.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Dory Hulse, Media Relations
434-964-1037 or 434-242-1333 (mobile)
Dory1333@embarqmail.com

Company exhibit at CAP ’11 – THE Pathologists’ Meeting™ to feature Evaluation Program

Phthisis Diagnostics will introduce the company’s first product to the pathology market at the College of American Pathologists 2011 annual meeting: CAP ‘11 – THE Pathologists’ Meeting™ to be held September 11-14 in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Phthisis Diagnostics, based in Charlottesville, VA, triggered strong market interest in previous laboratory and microbiology exhibitions over the summer.

The company’s initial product, the E-Sphere® Stool DNA Extraction Kit, is the first in a planned series of products under development for the Phthisis Diagnostics’ Simply Molecular® catalogue and slated for release over the next two years.

This first kit is a uniquely efficient way to extract DNA from stool samples and a major improvement over competing processes. It takes only nine steps instead of 32; requires only two sample transfers, reducing potential contamination risks; and it processes 12 samples in 30 minutes instead of in two hours. Results are more accurate and there is less waste material for laboratory disposal. The increased workflow efficiency and productivity for laboratories means significant potential cost savings and greater capacity. The product’s ability to produce high quality DNA in a cost effective way makes it an ideal first step for a number of other companies’ diagnostic tests.

As part of the product launch, Phthisis President Crystal Icenhour, PhD, has announced a special E-Sphere® Stool DNA Extraction Kit Evaluation Program. “We want to give potential customers an opportunity to gain first-hand experience with our extraction kit and our Simply Molecular® technology and we’re interested in their feedback. This Evaluation Program includes a quick survey we ask participants to complete and it provides a free Evaluation Kit (one kit with 10 extractions), a 50% discount on the retail price of Validation Kit (up to 3 kits with 50 extractions each), and a 30% discount on their first order of any quantity after completion of the Validation. Our technologists are also on hand to provide technical support, when needed.”

Infectious disease is the fourth most common cause of death in the United States and the leading cause worldwide. Recent news headlines have demonstrated the impact of water and food-borne illness – whether from contaminated vegetables in cosmopolitan cities or unclean rural water sources in developing or ravaged countries. Rapid and specific diagnosis not only provides better outcomes for patients, but can also play an important role in resolving epidemic crises. Phthisis Diagnostics products have the potential to play a key role in improving health care while also saving on health care costs.

Phthisis will return to Grapevine, Texas, November 17-19 for the annual meeting and exhibition of the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP 2011) and will exhibit in a series of State Fall Meetings of the South Central Association for Clinical Microbiology (Flatwoods, West Virginia on September 30; Bardstown, Kentucky on October 14; Plainfield, Indiana on October 17; Howell, Michigan on October 27; and Columbus, Ohio on October 31).

Phthisis Diagnostics is an innovative biotechnology company developing rapid, simple and reliable solutions for nucleic acid extraction, molecular diagnostics, and laboratory quality control – all aimed to produce quicker diagnostic results and more accurate treatment for better and more cost-effective patient care. For more information, visit www.phthisisdiagnostics.com.

Radio interview with Crystal Icenhour, president and chief science officer at Phthisis Diagnostics by Kathy Stewart of WTOP News: (transcript below)

Much Faster & Easier DNA Extraction by Phthisis Diagnostics

The Virginia biotech company has developed a stool DNA extraction kit which is, “much faster and easier” says Crystal Icenhour, president and chief science officer for Phthisis Diagnostics. Why that’s important is because of the steady stream of stomach turning food recalls from bag spinach to ecoli-laced ground beef. Well, the proof is in the poop. The new extraction kit means your doctor can test your stool sample faster to find out what parasite, bacteria, or virus is making you sick and prescribe a faster fix.

Radio interview with Crystal Icenhour, president and chief science officer of Phthisis Diagnostics by Kathy Stewart of WTOP News: (transcript below)

Quicker Diagnosis With E-Sphere®

It’s no fun having intestinal issues, it’s even potentially deadly, but now a new tool can find out faster what’s at the root of your problem. “Which is very important because the treatment for those types of illnesses is very specific,” Crystal Icenhour, president of Phthisis Diagnostics in Charlottesville, VA says. The new extraction kit takes DNA from a stool sample. “So the physician would then know exactly what the patient has so they can give them the proper treatment right away.”  And the patient would get better faster.

Phthisis Diagnostics’ new product, the E-Sphere stool DNA extraction kit, allows laboratories to perform tests quicker and easier for certain molecules.

via DNA tool gives Phthisis Diagnostics success to build on.

E-Sphere® Stool DNA Extraction Kit for clinical laboratories raises the bar for efficiency using standard laboratory equipment.

(Charlottesville, VA, May 16, 2011)

Phthisis Diagnostics, a rapidly growing biotechnology company developing a range of innovative molecular diagnostics technologies, announces the introduction of its first product, the E-Sphere® Stool DNA Extraction Kit.  The E-Sphere® Stool DNA Extraction Kit is the first product in Phthisis Diagnostics’ Simply Molecular® product line.

Laboratories have expressed their need for a faster, simpler method to purify genomic DNA from stool samples prior to PCR amplification and analysis.  The new kit answers the market need for speed with the added benefits of accuracy, improved cost effectiveness, reduced risk of sample contamination, and greater safety for lab technicians. The process requires only standard clinical laboratory equipment.

The novel E-Sphere® stool sample preparation method allows manual DNA extraction from 12 stool samples in less than 30 minutes. The streamlined process includes just 9 steps and minimizes sample contamination risk with only 2 sample transfers. Stool samples can be quickly processed within a biological safety cabinet.

“This new process provides significant time savings to clinical laboratories performing PCR analysis,” explains Crystal Icenhour, Ph.D., President and Director of Research at Phthisis Diagnostics. “We have developed the fastest and easiest manual process yet for stool DNA extraction, a notoriously difficult and unpleasant sample type. The speed of our entire process is comparable to the preparation time needed for many automated extraction systems. We have made the process very easy and reliable by removing the complexity seen with older methods”.

Advanced technology in the kit includes the high performance E-Sphere® Stool Enzyme, a thermostable reagent that digests fecal matter at 75°C during the 15 minute incubation stage. A further innovation is the proprietary E-Sphere® Clean-up Column which purifies the DNA.

Phthisis Diagnostics will present the kit for the first time in May at the American Society for Microbiology annual meeting (asm 2011 – booth #531) in New Orleans.  In the meantime, Phthisis Diagnostics invites interested laboratories to inquire about special evaluation pricing on this innovative kit.

The E-Sphere® Stool DNA Extraction Kit is developed and manufactured in the USA to ISO 9001 & ISO 13485 standards in a QSR & cGMP compliant facility, and is designated as a general purpose reagent.

About Phthisis Diagnostics

Phthisis (TYE-sis) Diagnostics is a rapidly growing biotechnology company developing the Simply Molecular® product catalog, a range of innovative molecular products designed for speed, accuracy, and ease of use. The Simply Molecular® catalog offers solutions for nucleic acid extraction, molecular diagnostics, and laboratory quality control.

Phthisis Diagnostics develops enzyme-based DNA extraction kits for rapid sample preparation prior to PCR applications in laboratories. The first product in this line will drastically reduce the time required to extract DNA from stool samples. This optimized workflow minimizes procedural steps, sample transfers, and potential for error.

Phthisis Diagnostics is also developing molecular diagnostic assays using PCR technology to detect intestinal pathogens associated with diarrheal disease, including Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Microsporidia, and others. For more information, visit www.phthisisdiagnostics.com.

About Crystal Icenhour, PhD

In 2006, Crystal Icenhour, PhD, became President and Director of Research for Phthisis Diagnostics, located in Charlottesville, VA. She is also an adjunct assistant professor at Duke University Medical Center’s Division of Infectious Diseases in their Department of Medicine. She has demonstrated business leadership in addition to her scientific capabilities and has expressed a goal of “bridging the translational gap between these two worlds.”

She has authored seven patents, has authored and co-authored 13 research articles and theses, and has been a prolific speaker and presenter at scientific conferences. She has served on review panels for the National Science Foundation and Environmental Protection Agency Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants. Dr. Icenhour currently serves on the board of the Virginia Biotechnology Association and on the editorial board for the Journal of Microbiological Methods. She is a member of the Charlottesville Business Innovation Council, Sigma Xi, Medical Mycology Society of the Americas, National Postdoctoral Association, and the American Society for Microbiology.

About Molecular Diagnostics

Molecular diagnostics is defined as the use of DNA, RNA, and proteins to test for specific states of health or disease.  Molecular diagnostic methods have been increasingly used over the past ten years to improve the sensitivity and speed of diagnosis in infectious diseases. Although their routine use has been primarily limited to the detection of pathogens that are difficult to culture in vitro, ‘real-time’ methods, commercial kits, quantification, and automation will increase their use. Molecular diagnostic methods are now widely used for epidemiological fingerprinting of isolates of public health importance and increasingly being used by clinical laboratories to diagnose genetic and infectious disease.

Contact:
Dory Hulse, Media Relations
434-964-1037 or 434-242-1333 (mobile)
Dory1333@embarqmail.com

Charlottesville, VA – (May 9, 2011) – Phthisis Diagnostics, a molecular diagnostics research and development company, is pleased to announce the appointments of Jeffery LaFave as Sales & Marketing Manager and Elizabeth Pyle as Administration & Operations Director.

A specialist with over 30 years experience in the field of molecular diagnostic product sales and marketing, Mr. LaFave is a recognized biotechnology leader known for crafting the requisite strategic vision to achieve bottom-line results. He offers a unique blend of executive acumen, global sales, and marketing solutions. Jeff’s immediate focus will be the launch of the E-Sphere® Stool DNA Extraction Kit and participation in the American Society for Microbiology meeting in New Orleans, LA May 21 – 24, 2011.

As a consultant with Phthisis since 2007, Ms. Pyle has seen the company grow from a tiny one-person start-up to a thriving early-stage business with seven full-time employees now on the cusp of bringing its Simply Molecular® product line to the market place. Elizabeth brings 20+ years of business development experience to the strategic growth of Phthisis Diagnostics’ administrative and operational processes.

Crystal Icenhour, PhD, President and Director of Research at Phthisis Diagnostics stated: ”Our recent series A investments have allowed Phthisis to bring on two extraordinary new team members. I am pleased to hire our long-time business consultant Elizabeth Pyle. Liz adds significant value and structure to Phthisis. I am also excited that Jeff LaFave has joined the Phthisis team. Jeff has extensive sales and marketing experience in the field of molecular diagnostic products and brings a focused approach as we formally launch our first product, the E-Sphere® Stool DNA Extraction Kit at the ASM meeting in New Orleans later this month.”

About Phthisis Diagnostics

Phthisis (TYE-sis) Diagnostics is a rapidly growing biotechnology company developing the Simply Molecular® product catalog, a range of innovative molecular products designed for speed, accuracy, and ease of use. The Simply Molecular® catalog offers solutions for nucleic acid extraction, molecular diagnostics, and laboratory quality control.

Phthisis Diagnostics develops enzyme-based DNA extraction kits for rapid sample preparation prior to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) applications in laboratories. The first product in this line will drastically reduce the time required to extract DNA from stool samples. In addition to the improved accuracy for patient diagnosis and treatment, is the optimized workflow which minimizes procedural steps, sample transfers, and potential for error. This means greater efficiency for busy laboratories.

Phthisis Diagnostics is also developing molecular diagnostic assays using PCR technology to detect intestinal pathogens associated with diarrheal disease, including Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Microsporidia, and others. For more information, visit www.phthisisdiagnostics.com.

CONTACT:

Dory Hulse, Media Relations
434-964-1037 or 434-242-1333 (mobile)
Dory1333@embarqmail.com

Charlottesville, VA – (April 26, 2011)—Phthisis Diagnostics, Inc, announced today a fresh round of funding that will enable the company to immediately launch their first product, The E-Sphere® Stool DNA Extraction Kit, with another product in development  and available for launch in approximately 18 months.

The closing of the $450,000 Series A round of capital financing was led by Piedmont Angel Network (PAN – www.piedmontangelnetwork.com).  Other participates in the round were New Dominion Angels of Warrenton, VA and Center for Innovative Technology of Herndon, VA.  These new funds will be used to launch the E-Sphere® Stool DNA Extraction Kit. The R-Sphere™ diagnostic test line is scheduled to debut in late 2012.

“The Piedmont Angel Network is excited to have led the Series A round for Phthisis Diagnostics which will fund the launch of the company’s innovative line of molecular diagnostic products,” commented Andy Dreyfuss, PAN Fund Executive.  “As the rate of infectious diseases has increased in the United States over the past 15 years, doctors and laboratories have been under pressure to quickly, accurately, and cost-effectively diagnose incidents.  We believe that Phthisis Diagnostics has superior technology, an excellent management team, and the expertise to capitalize on the rapid growing use of molecular diagnostics to improve patient outcomes.”

“We are delighted to work with Piedmont Angel Network, New Dominion Angels, and Center for Innovative Technology on this investment,” stated Crystal Icenhour, PhD, President and Director of Research & Development for Phthisis Diagnostics.  “This funding will allow Phthisis to shift its focus from research and development to commercialization of its technologies.”

Phthisis Diagnostics will be attending the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) annual meeting on May 20-25, 2011 in New Orleans, LA (Booth #531), where The E-Sphere™ Stool DNA Extraction Kit  will be formally introduced.    “We are excited about attending this year’s ASM meeting,” commented Dr. Icenhour.  “Not only will we be participating as first-time exhibitors, introducing our innovative diagnostic product line Simply Molecular™, but three of our researchers will be presenting posters demonstrating data on current and future product development.”

Phthisis (TYE-sis) Diagnostics is a rapidly growing biotechnology company developing the Simply Molecular® product catalog, a range of innovative molecular products designed for speed, accuracy, and ease of use. The Simply Molecular® catalog offers solutions for nucleic acid extraction, molecular diagnostics, and laboratory quality control.

Phthisis Diagnostics develops enzyme-based DNA extraction kits for rapid sample preparation prior to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) applications in laboratories. The first product in this line will drastically reduce the time required to extract DNA from stool samples. In addition to the improved accuracy for patient diagnosis and treatment, is the optimized workflow which minimizes procedural steps, sample transfers, and potential for error. This means greater efficiency for busy laboratories.

Phthisis Diagnostics is also developing molecular diagnostic assays using PCR technology to detect intestinal pathogens associated with diarrheal disease, including Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Microsporidia, and others. For more information about Phthisis Diagnostics, please visit http://phthisisdiagnostics.com/.

CONTACT:

Dory Hulse, Media Relations
434-964-1037 or 434-242-1333 (mobile)
Email

Phthisis Diagnostics has been nominated as a 2011 Virginia Healthcare Innovator in the Medical Device category.  This innovation award is sponsored by the Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, as well as a number of organizations devoted to innovation in the State of Virginia.

Finalists for this innovation award will be announced March 15, 2011, with finalists and winners will be recognized at an awards event at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond, VA on March 29, 2011.

For additional information on the 2011 Virginia Healthcare Innovator Awards and the sponsors of this program, visit www.virginiahealthcareinnovators.org.