Asper Biotech at the ASHG 2012

Asper Biotech invites you to visit our booth no 1418 at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics in San Francisco, November 6-10. We will be presenting updated versions of the Asper Ophthalmics’s tests such as ARRP test, as well as the brand new tests in the field of oncogenetics. Our scientists are also represented  in Poster Session with performed research „Genetic Screening of Colorectal Cancer Patients for the Lynch Syndrome Detection in Estonian Population“.

Updated version of ARRP test

Nine new genes (EYS, ABCA4, AIPL1, CNGA3, CNGB3, GRK1, IMPG2, RHO, and RP1) have been added to Autosomal Recessive Retinitis Pigmentosa test.  The improved version covers 710 mutations in 28 genes providing a comprehensive diagnostic tool for retinitis pigmentosa.

Asper Biotech in new FP7 project – CTCtrap

The EU has awarded a six-million-euro grant to the project CTCtrap (Circulating Tumour Cells TheRapeutic Apheresis), led by Leon Terstappen, Professor of Medical Cell Biophysics at the University of Twente.

The new and highly advanced technique known as the CTCtrap aims to screen cancer patients for circulating tumor cells (CTC) in the future, and thereby to provide therapy that is better tailored to individual patients. The CTCtrap is expected to be available in about four years’ time. According to Prof. Terstappen, “this new technology will bring about a radical change in the treatment of cancer patients.”

The project team consists of a consortium of eleven companies, universities, and research institutes from the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Estonia, Germany and the Netherlands.  Asper Biotech, the Estonian partner in the project, will be involved in molecular profiling of CTCs. The project’s official date of commencement is September 1, 2012.

New oncogenetic tests

Asper Oncogenetics portfolio has been upgraded with new tests for the risk assessment and diagnostics of colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer tests are presented at an introductory offer, with 10% discount of the standard prices. The offer is valid until the end of 2012.

Panel of Lynch syndrome testing now includes microsatellite instability (MSI) testing, MMR protein (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2) expression analysis by immunohistochemistry (IHC), mutation analysis of MSH2, MLH1, MSH6, PMS2 genes and methylation analysis of MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, MSH3, MLH3 and PMS2 genes. Also, BRAF mutation V600E analysis from tumour tissue is available. In addition, Asper Biotech offers MUTYH-associated Polyposis (MAP) testing.

Sequencing of the ABCA4 gene

Asper Biotech is now offering sequence analysis of the entire coding region of the ABCA4 gene.

Updated version of Sensorineural Hearing Loss test

Asper Biotech has updated Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL) genetic test. The new version includes five additional genes – KCNQ4, TCM1, MYO15A, MYO7A, as well as 232kb deletion from GJB6 gene [del(GJB6-D13S1854)]. Now the SNHL microarray covers the analysis of 11 genes – GJB2, GJB6, GJB3, SLC26A5, SLC26A4, MTNR1, MTTS1, KCNQ4, TCM1, MYO15A, MYO7A – and detects 246 mutations instead of 198 of the earlier version.

European Human Genetics Conference 2011

Visit Asper Biotech’s booth (#280) at the European Human Genetics Conference on 28-31th of May 2011 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Our company, represented by CEO Eneli Oitmaa and Medical Geneticist Dr Kairit Joost, is also involved in a Poster Session. The posters will be presented respectively on the topics “Diagnostic testing for Male Factor Infertility using APEX microarrays” and “Microchip for determination of the syndromes tied to increased Nuchal Translucency”.

Sequencing of the RPE65 gene

Asper Biotech is now offering sequence analysis of the entire coding region of the RPE65 gene.

Updated version of Congenital Stationary Night Blindness genetic test is now available

Asper Biotech, in collaboration with scientific partners, has updated Congenital Stationary Night Blindness (CSNB) genetic test. The new version includes two additional genes – GRK1 and TRPM1, associated with Congenital Stationary Night Blindness. Now the CSNB microarray covers the analysis of 11 genes – RHO, PDE6B, GNAT1, CABP4, GRM6, SAG, NYX, CACNA1F, CACNA2D, GRK1, TRPM1 – and detects 159 mutations instead of 126 of the earlier version.

Asper Biotech’s collaboration with Polish leading genetic testing center

Asper Biotech is presenting its collaboration with our to-be exclusive partner for Asper’s eye diseases testing in Poland Centrum Genetyki Medycznej and jointly participating at the Congress of the Polish Society of Ophthalmology in Warsaw on 10th-13th of June. This is a great opportunity to spread the word about Asper’s tests to the 1500 eye doctors from all around Poland. Asper is proud to collaborate with Centrum GENESIS and the renowned Professors Prof. Anna Latos-Bielenska and Prof. Maciej Krawczynski, who is also delivering a series of lectures on genetic eye diseases and the benefits of Asper’s tests in everyday diagnostics work. A many-fold increase in sample number from Poland is set as a common goal for Asper’s and Centrum’s collaboration in 2010.

International Symposium on Usher Syndrome and Related Diseases

Asper Biotech will participate at International Symposium on Usher Syndrome and Related Diseases,  on 27-29th of May 2010 in Valencia, Spain.

Asper Biotech’s genetic counsellor Ilona Lind will present the report on Asper’s diagnostic tool for the Usher syndrome.

Genetic testing in Hungary

The goal is to offer the country’s eye doctors and other specialists the wide portfolio of Asper’s test. Currently working in close collaboration with Optovision Ltd. Asper Biotech has the goal of reaching the Hungarian eye doctors offering them diagnostics solutions that are enhanced by our partner’s advancing knowledge in eye disease genetics. Co-operation with internet medicine network and wide partner network enables to reach the goals quickly and efficiently bringing on stronger brand presence for Asper and a comprehensive medical product market for Optovision.

Optovision is widening its network of clinics and doctors over all medical areas that Asper’s tests cover.

Asper at ESHG 2010

Several new innovative genetic tests and services will be launched on the market this year. At the European Human Genetics Conference on 12-15 June 2010 in Gothenburg, Sweden Asper’s representatives will provide wider and more attractive products than ever before. We are glad to meet our partners and clients in Asper Biotech (#B218) and Genorama (#B134) boxes.

The Champions of innovation

The prize of German Economy was established to bring into focus Estonian  – German economical cooperation and to promote companies with the best experiences in this area. From 16 qualified companies and 5 finalists Asper Biotech was highlighted as the most innovative, as well as carrying most social value together with German scientific partners from well-known German Universities as Tübingen, Regensburg, Köln, Bonn, Bremen University, Humbolt University of Berlin, Bayer Julius-Mazimilians University, Charite Institut and many others. Continue reading The Champions of innovation

Asper Biotech at BIOFORUM and Geneforum

Asper Biotech participated at Central European Forum of Biotechnology & Innovative Bioeconomy BIOFORUM on 3-4th of June in Lodz, Poland. Asper was represented in booth #37 in collaboration with Tartu Biotechnology Park. Asper also participated at 9th Annual International Geneforum on 12-13th of June in Tartu, Estonia. The exhibition stand at Geneforum has been co-financed by the European Union Regional Development Fund.

Continue reading Asper Biotech at BIOFORUM and Geneforum