June 26, 2009 - BioAssay Works, LLC has been awarded a $50 thousand grant by Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) under its Fort Detrick Technology Transfer Initiative (FDTTI). The grant is for development of an optimized, highly sensitive, rapid, visual diagnostic test able to detect and differentiate among multiple pathogenic poxviruses, including smallpox. If the initial proof-of-concept is successful, other diagnostic capabilities will be added to allow differential diagnosis of other illnesses that present acute vesiclar and pustular rash symptoms similar to smallpox. Current diagnostic protocols for smallpox are subjective, slow, and cumbersome. The objective is the delivery of a rapid, lateral-flow assay that will provide government agencies and first responders a vital tool for rapid, point-of-care identification of high priority bio-threats.

Resources for the grant, the maximum amount available under the FDTTI, come from a federally funded program. Work will be conducted under a three-way Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with BioFactura, Inc. of Rockville, Maryland, and the laboratories of Dr. Jay Hooper at the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) at Ft. Dietrick. Dr. Hooper’s laboratory will provide materials for generation of monoclonal antibodies and viral proteins, as well as samples for testing. BioFactura will produce recombinant antibodies and antigens to be used by BioAssay Works in designing, producing, and validating the test.

This grant from TEDCO allows us to focus our skills and proprietary rapid-assay development technology on a project of great importance both to the military and the civilian population. We look forward to collaborating with USAMRIID and BioFactura to make this a success. This product will help address the critical need for rapid identification of smallpox infection in the event of a bioterror attack. - Robert Greenfield, BioAssay Works CEO

About BioAssay Works, LLC
BioAssay Works (Ijamsville, Maryland) develops lateral-flow, point-of-care and point-of-use diagnostic tests, with emphasis on assays requiring high sensitivity. The company has patented enabling technologies, including a lateral-flow platform, and proprietary gold-sol manufacturing methods which contribute to increased test sensitivity and specificity, and which reduce response time. BAW’s founders have extensive experience in developing FDA-approved, CE mark, and USDA-regulated ELISA and rapid tests.

About BioFactura, Inc.
BioFactura (Rockville, MD) is a pioneer in developing next generation therapeutics and diagnostics in the infectious disease arena. The Company integrates discovery and biomanufacturing technologies to accelerate critical products to market. BioFactura’s lead initiative is a Smallpox Biodefense Therapeutic Program developed in collaboration with the US Army.

About USAMRIID
USAMRIID is the lead medical research laboratory for the U.S. DOD Biological Defense Research Program, and plays a key role in national defense and in infectious disease research. The Institute conducts basic and applied research on biological threats, resulting in medical solutions (such as vaccines, drugs and diagnostics) to protect the warfighter. While USAMRIID’s primary mission is focused on the military, its research often has applications that benefit society as a whole. USAMRIID is a subordinate laboratory of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. For more information, visit www.usamriid.army.mil

The information contained in this press release does not necessarily reflect the position or the policy of the Government and no official endorsement should be inferred.

Corporate Contact: Robert Greenfield, CEO, email: rgreenfield@bioassayworks.com
Sales Contact: Stephen Mefferd, V.P. Business Development, email: smefferd@bioassayworks.com