Vitrimark, Inc. exploits the unique advantages provided by nanoscale cryoimaging of biofluids to identify ultrastructural biomarkers for utility and integration in the drug development process.
Location: Rhode Island, USA
Industry: Biotech & Pharma
Venture is: Seed Level
Vitrimark, Inc. exploits the unique advantages provided by nanoscale cryoimaging of biofluids to identify ultrastructural biomarkers for utility and integration in the drug development process. It has just received notice of allowance from the USPTO for its claims on this method.
Vitrimark’s premise (patent application filed September, 2005) is that morphological variations in components present in biological fluids precede or occur simultaneously with functional changes. Monitoring ultrastructural changes that are correlated to functional and phenotypic variations has the potential for early detection of disease, classification of disease sub-categories and characterization of drug efficacy and toxicity. Because these changes are physical, the identification process does not require any a priori knowledge of specific biological targets. Therefore, this method alleviates the reliance on biochemical assays which probe functional alterations in genes and proteins, need a priori knowledge of their function, and require extensive assay development and optimization.
Vitrimark's initial target is structural biomarkers for prostate cancer; it has already shown proof-of-concept in this disease, where the measurement of PSA levels remains an inaccurate, but the best test available today. Vitrimark received seed funding from the Slater Technology Fund, and was recently a finalist in the 2008 Rhode Island Business Plan Competition. It is seeking Series A financing to complete controlled animal model studies, increase the sample size for human prostate cancer and do blinded studies for confirmation of the power of this technique. It will then collaborate with pharmaceutical companies during their drug development process, working with these companies to use Vitrimark’s biomarkers to make early go-no go decisions on investigational new drugs.
