Sign Up NowThis Month's Tiny Gems - February 2015

PlasmaTech Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (PTBI)
VolitionRx Ltd. (VNRX)
Vuzix Corp. (VUZI)

 

 

 

PlasmaTech Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (PTBI)

 

PlasmaTech Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (PTBI) is focused on advancing targeted treatments for the unmet needs of critical patient care through the use of two proprietary platforms, Salt Diafiltration Process (SDP) and Polymer Hydrogel Technology (PHT).

 

The company’s SDP focuses on the extraction of therapeutic biologics, or biopharmaceutical proteins, from human plasma. Currently, the industry standard for the fractionation of human plasma is the Cohn Cold Ethanol Fractionation Process, which has been in use for over 70 years. PlasmaTech’s patented method features unusually high yields of proteins as compared with the Cohn Process, which makes it particularly valuable in the global plasma protein market. Intravenous Immune Globulin, which contains a broad spectrum of antibodies and is the primary driver for manufacturers using the Cohn Process, is recovered in much greater supply (at least 20 percent more) using the company’s proprietary extraction method.

 

PlasmaTech’s PHT platform is a patented hydrogel delivery system that uses a unique aqueous pseudoplastic liquid to enable extended delivery of drugs to the mouth and upper gastrointestinal tract.

 

The company’s two primary platforms provide plenty of room for potential growth in the future. The plasma protein market is estimated to be greater than $12 billion, and continued growth of approximately 10 percent annually puts PlasmaTech in a great position to capitalize on the industry’s eventual replacement of the antiquated Cohn fractionation process.

 

 

 

VolitionRx Ltd. (VNRX)

 

VolitionRx Ltd. (VNRX) was established when its team of scientists saw a chance to bring together the long-established ELISA diagnostic technology with cutting-edge nucleosome detection and analysis techniques. Their goal was to revolutionize the way cancer is diagnosed.

 

Cancer and some other diseases lead to irregular levels of uniquely structured nucleosomes in the bloodstream. Though a simple test, with less than a drop of blood, VolitionRx is able to detect those nucleosomes; and by measuring and analyzing them, to establish whether disease is present in the patient. The company is now proving the efficacy of its NuQ® tests in a number of clinical trials being carried out worldwide.

 

Currently, VolitionRx is developing a range of tools for the diagnosis of conditions including colorectal cancer, other cancers including prostate and lung cancers, and inflammatory and other diseases including endometriosis. VolitionRx’s R&D and clinical trials teams are based in the heart of Europe, at the company’s laboratory in the medieval university town of Namur, Belgium.

 

 

 

Vuzix Corp. (VUZI)

 

Vuzix Corp. (VUZI) is a leading supplier of video eyewear products in the consumer, commercial and entertainment markets. The company’s products provide solutions for mobility, wearable displays and virtual and augmented reality. Vuzix holds over 48 patents and patents pending, as well as numerous IP licenses in the video eyewear field. The company has won 13 Consumer Electronics Show Innovations Awards and several wireless technology innovation awards, among others.

 

The company’s high-resolution Video Eyewear Family of consumer products solves the main challenge in viewing video and digital information via portable and mobile devices – the small screen. Vuzix iWear® and Wrap® Video Eyewear are worn like regular glasses and provide the effect of a big screen experience. They are ideal for use with media players, portable DVD players, gaming consoles, and mobile phones.

 

Vuzix Augmented Reality (AR) eyewear provides a first-person view of the real world, overlaid with computer-generated data and content. Both digital and optical see-through models provide 2D and 3D support of real world and computer content. Integrated camera systems capture AR markers and targets, enabling a host computer or mobile device to merge the real and virtual worlds. AR technology is catching on quickly in a vast array of applications from hands-free maintenance assistance, virtual engineering/product demonstrations, gaming, simulation, and more.

 

The company is also on the cutting-edge of Virtual Reality (VR), allowing users to engage in a variety of applications ranging from game and flight simulations to medical applications such as pain and phobia management.