New technology for protein detection

First Company spin-off from the Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry

NH DyeAGNOSTICS is the present in the founding biotech company that is since April 2008 in the premises of the Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry (IPB) located in Halle. The company wants to establish itself with a new, innovative technology, which was filed in July 2008 patent. The new method allows the qualitative and quantitative detection of proteins. Thus, in future, faster and better than with conventional technologies, compared complex protein samples together and new proteins are identified, which are formed by stress or response of diseases.

The detection of marker proteins, which are typical for certain diseases, will be an important pillar of the young biotech company. In addition to this order analysis for medical diagnostics, it is of course also important to market the technology yourself. For the realization of this project, the two entrepreneurs Dr. Jan Heise and Dr. Kai Naumann has every reason to hope: "The technology has sparked the greatest interest among our partners, three companies that operate worldwide," says Jan Heise. "After extensive testing and successful testing by independent laboratories, we are now preparing to launch it in spring 2009." According to Naumann and Heise, the use of the new technology will raise basic medical and biochemical research in the field of protein analysis to a new level of quality.

Both entrepreneurs have their roots in the Leibniz Institute for Plant Biochemistry on the Halle vineyard campus. As a chemist, Kai Naumann used the excellent research opportunities of the IPB to invent and test the new process, Jan Heise contributed his knowledge as a molecular biologist. Their experience in the context of the local research projects finally resulted in the development of the technology and the project to found NH DyeAGNOSTICS in October 2007.

For the financial security of a 12-month development phase, the two entrepreneurs successfully applied for an EXIST start-up grant financed by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology to help them get started in the amount of approx. € 90.000. The IPB supports its first spin-off by providing premises, equipment and tools for the construction phase. With the appointment of an interim manager who will deal with the upcoming questions about marketing and sales for a limited time, the Leibniz Association is also providing valuable services. In the meantime, the small team of founders has been completed by a biochemist and an IT specialist.

The EXIST funding ends in April 2009. Until then, the young company still has a few hurdles to overcome, "but NH DyeAGNOSTICS is well on the roadmap it has set itself," says Jan Heise optimistically. "We are eagerly awaiting entry into the national and international market!"

Source: Halle [IPB]