Debiopharm International SA (Debiopharm), part of Debiopharm Group, a Swiss-based global biopharmaceutical company, has acquired FibroTrap sample processing technology from Spinomix, a Swiss technology platform company providing innovative sample processing solutions to the life sciences sector. Commercial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

FibroTrap is a fibrinogen-based technology allowing the highly specific separation and efficient concentration of target molecules from liquid samples within a simple, routine sample-collection tube. This technology greatly simplifies the sample processing workflow, improves sensitivity and significantly shortens the time taken from sample collection to delivery of results. FibroTrap is applicable to a wide variety of matrices (blood, urine, swabs, food, etc.) to isolate a large spectrum of targets (bacteria, viruses, tumor cells, etc.) and hence could provide a breakthrough in sample processing applied to clinical diagnostics and the food industry.

"This agreement reflects our long-held strategy to develop our technologies to a certain maturity before finding the best commercialization partner," stated Heiner Dreismann, chairman of the Board. "We are delighted to have transferred FibroTrap to Debiopharm which will as of now continue with the development of FibroTrap technology, take it to market and realize its full potential in many different applications."

"We are enthusiastic about continuing the development of this potentially revolutionary sample preparation technology. This acquisition is in line with our continuing investment in cutting-edge diagnostic technologies and particularly with our interest in rapid diagnostics for efficient use of anti-infective agents," added Thierry Mauvernay, delegate of the Board of Debiopharm Group.

"The team at Spinomix is very proud to have developed this novel technology which will greatly improve the sensitivity and time taken for diagnosing samples by doctors and laboratories. This will undoubtedly pave the way to a new era in molecular diagnostics in which patients will benefit enormously from an enhanced process," said Nasri Nahas, chief executive officer.

"Spinomix is very pleased to have this technology now under Debiopharm's solid product development expertise, allowing Spinomix to focus on commercializing its flagship sample processing technology MagPhase that we continue to validate in partnership with key players in research and industry."