28/06/2019 Axbio Inc. developed a new technology for genetic sequencing, significantly ahead of the available analogues in such key parameters as price, accuracy and reading speed
On June 28, 2019, AxBio Inc., represented in Russia by Generis Biotech, the resident of Skolkovo Foundation, in Shenzhen, China, made a public presentation of the proprietary genetic sequencing technology (DNA strand decoding), presenting the company's first product, the AXP100 instrument. The instrument is in fact a highly sensitive detector of biomolecules that allows the implementation of nanopore sequencing by synthesis, the most advanced technology of nanopore sequencing by DNA synthesis to date.
AxBio technology is implemented on the basis of a hydrodynamic chip combining a silicon CMOS base and a biological membrane, which, together with a polymerase and labeled nucleotides of its own design, provide long sequencing of a single DNA molecule with high speed and accuracy. At the same time, it is expected that in mass production both the device and the chip will make it possible to achieve a low cost of reading: less than $ 100 for the full genome, while the prevailing market price as of today exceeds $ 1,000.
AXP100, sized as a conventional inkjet printer, is a highly integrated and automated device that can replace the existing large sequencers, which require highly skilled staff. The AxBio device is much simpler in the process of operation, while it has the high accuracy of analysis required by the doctor to make a clinical diagnosis even at the level of simple laboratories that carry out a standard set of standard tests. Also, the universal AxBio platform can be used for biochemical analyzes, such as protein, microbial, toxic compounds analysis, on simple portable devices for instant recognition and consumer use, and on fully automated devices in independent laboratories and hospitals.
Over the past decade, owing to the improvements in DNA sequencing methods and development of lower cost systems, genetic analysis has become available to consumers and have gained wide acceptance in areas such as prenatal tests (NIPT) and cancer tumor detection. A large number of private companies and public institutions accumulate significant arrays of genetic data, which allows to constantly improve knowledge due to the higher quality of statistical analysis on large samples. Producers of drugs who understand the opportunities contained in the genetic information, such as predispositions of patients to certain diseases and their susceptibility or resistance to the drugs used, are also showing great interest in this area.
Not only private business, but also the states are interested in the development of genetic technologies. All leading countries introduce and encourage programs for support and development in the area. In Russia genetics has been declared the key priority of technological development, along with artificial intelligence. President Putin has signed the “Decree on the Development of Genetic Technologies in the Russian Federation”. In his message to the Federal Assembly in February 2019, Vladimir Putin noted the importance of genomic research: "A radical breakthrough in this direction will open the way to creating new methods of diagnosing, preventing and curing many diseases, also expand opportunities in breeding, in agriculture."
In Russia AxBio works through its subsidiary "Generis Biotech", which cooperates with key Russian companies working in the field of genetics and pharmaceuticals, as well as with leading research institutes. Generis Biotech is to facilitate joint research with Russian partners, as well as business development in the region. Besides that, one of the key technological processes for creating a bio-chip (AxBio Smart Biochip) is supposed to be carried out at the Moscow semiconductor foundry Crocus Nanoelectronics.
Within the framework of the abovementioned Shenzhen event, letters of intent were signed with the Research Center of Medical Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RCMG) and the Scientific Research Institute of Biomedical Chemistry named after V.N. Orekhovich (IBC). RCMG is the leading medical and genetic institution in Russia, the head organization of the Medical and Genetic Service of the Russian Federation. In 2018, doctors of RCMG conducted more than 70,000 high-tech genetic tests, more than anyone else in Russia. IBC is the leader in Russia in the research of structural and functional arrangement of biological macromolecules, mechanisms of intermolecular recognition during immune reactions, enzyme-substrate interactions, in the processes of reception, with the development of new methods of bioinformatics and computer-aided design of drugs, with the creation of tools for diagnosis and treatment of the most common diseases.
Hui Tian, Executive Director of AxBio Inc:We are pleased to announce the AXP100 product and our universal biochemical analysis platform, which will bring significant advantage to the sequencing and molecular diagnostic market. Russia, with its vast landscape and large population, presents a great opportunity for our cost effective, small, fast, and portable solution to thrive. We are also excited to have the honorable collaborators from the Russian scientific community and industry. Together we will help provide the innovative genetic tools to Russian medical and research centers and labs, and thus benefit the whole population
Igor Ivanov, founder, President and Chief Operating Officer of AxBio Inc:Axbio team is excited to be a member of Skolkovo Foundation and also to create a number of medical applications in collaboration with the leading research institutes in Russian Federation. Continuing automation of biotechnology and medical diagnostics processes along with implementation of advances semiconductor manufacturing methods is a foundation to enable new breakthroughs in improving every human being’s health, advance agricultural industry, and enhance lives of future generations.
Andrei V. Lisitsa, Director of the Scientific Research Institute of Biomedical Chemistry named after V.N. Orekhovich, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences: I wouldn’t initiate this promising AxBio collaboration without keen professional interest from the outstanding scientific leaders of our Institute, Elena Ponomarenko (deputy director on scientific work) and Elena Suprun (head of the electrochemistry team). AxBio technology can rightfully claim to be considered the technology of the future, attracting the new generation of scientists.
Reference Information
Axbio Inc. is a startup company based in Santa Clara (USA) in the heart of Silicon Valley. It has two subsidiaries: Generis Biotech LLC, resident of the Skolkovo Foundation in Russia and AnXuYuan Biotechnology Ltd. in China. The company’s founders are Igor Ivanov and Hui Tian [Hugh Tien], who have expertise in successful creating high-value high-tech businesses from the scratch and selling them to a strategy partner or bringing IPO.
AnXuYuan Biotechnology, the wholly-owned subsidiary of AxBio is located in Shenzhen, China. The company specializes in the development of molecular diagnostics and application of sequencing for medical, biotechnological, pharmaceutical and agricultural companies. The company is actively engaged in research and development of liquid biopsy technologies and other new technologies. The company's research team is a leader in various fields (including semiconductor, nanoporous and biochemical technologies, etc.)
The Russian subsidiary company Generis Biotech is a resident of the Skolkovo Foundation's Biomedical Technologies Cluster.