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Spectral receives McMaster Industry Partner of the Year Award for aptamer discovery research
Spectral receives McMaster Industry Partner of the Year Award for aptamer discovery research
About this update from Spectral Medical Inc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n\n\n\n Jun. 23, 2010 (Canada NewsWire Group) -- - New techniques in diagnosis and treatment of sepsis using aptamers for endotoxin binding -\n\n Spectral Diagnostics Inc. (TSX:SDI) a company developing products for the treatment of sepsis, today announced it has received the McMaster University Industry Partner of the Year Award for its contribution to the discovery and development of aptamer technology for the diagnosis and treatment of sepsis. The discovery research was performed in the laboratory of Dr. Yingfu Li, a leading authority in the research and development of aptamers, at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.\n"This recognition reflects our broad expertise in the field of endotoxin and its role as a cause of sepsis," said Dr. Paul Walker, President and CEO of Spectral. "The combination of Dr. Li's extensive work with aptamers and Spectral's pioneering work with endotoxin has led to the development of aptamers that can potentially bind to endotoxin. While our current focus is clearly on managing the pivotal trial for Toraymyxin(TM) in the U.S., this technology could open up future opportunities in the area of sepsis, providing unique, new tools for its diagnosis and treatment. Our work with Dr. Li and McMaster University is ongoing and we look forward to the further development of this technology and the possibility of future discoveries that this partnership could facilitate."\nAptamers are a new class of pharmacologic molecules based on DNA fragments that mimic protein action, allowing them to bind specifically to a targeted molecule.\nThis award provides recognition to corporations who have made a significant contribution to developing the University's research mandate. Nominations were received from university and hospital faculty and staff, with final selection by a committee of business executives, government officials, and senior university administration.\n\nAbout Spectral Diagnostics\n\nSpectral is a leader in the battle against sepsis. Spectral's lead product is its Endotoxin Activity Assay (EAA(TM)), the only FDA cleared assay for the measurement of endotoxin. With the growing awareness for the role of endotoxemia in sepsis and the increasing number of therapies being developed for this indication, Spectral is well-positioned to drive the adoption of the EAA(TM), which can be used ...