SOFIA Takes Prion Detection to a Whole New Level

If you can’t diagnose a disease, there is no chance to even manage it, never mind, cure it. Mad Cow Disease and Cruetzfeld-Jacob disease are two prion diseases that, until now, could not be detected prior to death of the infected animal or person.

Through a collaborative research program conducted by Los Alamos National Laboratory and the State University of New York, Martin Piltch and Perry Gray invented SOFIA.   SOFIA (Surround Optical Fiber Immuno Assay) technology is a combination of instrument and assay that takes prion detection to a whole new level.  The assay is an extraordinary development of Dr. Richard Rubenstein, of SUNY Downstate and the instrument is what makes it possible through its unique sensitivity to detect a single point of fluorescent light.

Bionosis, Inc.) was established to develop and commercialize the diagnostic test for prions and The AttoLight Group (www.attolightgroup.com) will be the instrument partner. Founded by the original inventors of SOPHIA, The AttoLight Group is located in the Santa Fe Business Incubator and will be funded entirely through the collaboration with Bionosis to develop the instrument for diagnostic testing.   Bionosis will be responsible for the marketing and sales of instruments and assay kits, but wanted to retain the expertise of the original inventors to ensure the efficient design and development of the very critical instrument component.  The founders are excited to plunge into this new venture and will own 100% of the new entity, retaining preferential rights to sublicense for other applications.  Bionosis is a very committed partner by virtue of the marriage of their assay and the instrument.  The challenge will be to specify for the diagnostic market and refine the prototypes into commercial units.

LabStart is proud to have helped establish The AttoLight Group and assist in the start up of operations here in New Mexico.  While the current model is strictly to conduct development, the potential for manufacturing and service exists for the future.

About the founders: Martin Piltch has a background in laser optics and technology which spans the history of the technology. He came to Los Alamos National Laboratory in 1973 and has been involved in various laser applications including development of explosive driven lasers, and various application of laser based spectroscopy and detection. Perry Gray has a background in computational physics and has been involved in optical based bio-medical detection initially at Sandia National Laboratories and then Los Alamos National Laboratory since 1996. SOFIA is a direct result of collaboration with Richard Rubenstein (SUNY Downstate Medical Center) supported through the National Prion Research Program, part the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs.