Cyntellect, the R&D spinoff of Oncosis Inc announced that Oncosis has received a SBIR grant to develop novel drug discovery applications on their Laser Enabled Analysis and Processing (LEAP) technology platform. LEAP is a novel laser-based platform that is able to both analyze and process living cells in a very high-throughput manner.

"Recent drug discovery efforts have become overwhelmed with numerous new potential drug targets and compounds," said Dr. Fred Koller, VP - R&D and COO of Cyntellect. "In response to these challenges, the drug discovery industry has developed various high-throughput screening (HTS) and high-content screening (HCS) tools, forcing researchers to choose between assay speed and quality of data. Cyntellect''s proprietary LEAP platform enables high-content cell analysis at high-throughput speeds (HC-HTS), both of which are essential to meet the demands of today''s cell-based assay needs. Further, LEAP is the only platform which incorporates high-speed laser-based cell manipulation, a truly unique tool that will significantly increase the power of cell-based assays."

This SBIR grant and other related grants will support development of new drug discovery approaches and further Cyntellect''s development of the LEAP technology platform. The company has now announced the receipt of three new grant awards in the past two months, providing approximately $500,000 in new funding to support development of the proprietary LEAP platform.

Cyntellect Inc has developed a revolutionary technology platform for high-throughput cellular analysis and manipulation to accelerate the pace of life science research and drug discovery. The Company''s patented Laser-Enabled Analysis and Processing (LEAP) technology platform utilizes ultra high-speed F-theta optical scanning technologies and real-time image analysis to phenotype cells presented in a number of formats. The LEAP technology also incorporates a high-speed targeting laser that allows for individual cells to be selectively eliminated, optoinjected (introduction of macromolecules), interrogated, and manipulated based upon their phenotype.

With this technology, cells are processed in situ, thereby expanding the types of cells that can be processed, increasing efficiency of processing, improving information content, and enabling novel cell-based experimentation. Cyntellect''s LEAP technology addresses clear, substantial, current and emerging needs in well-established markets including pharmaceutical research, drug discovery and life science research.