Lunaphore Technologies SA, Lausanne, Switzerland, a next-generation tissue diagnostics company, and Vitro SA, Seville, Spain, a manufacturer in the field of pathology and biomedical research, are collaborating to develop in situ hybridization (ISH) protocols for RNA and DNA targets in tissue, using reagents provided by Vitro and processed on Lunaphore’s rapid autostaining platform.

Javier Fernández, Vitro

Javier Fernández, Vitro.

ISH techniques require the implementation of protocols with long overnight incubation times. Automating such protocols is challenging. The partnership aims to facilitate the development of ISH applications for Lunaphore’s platform, and to achieve shorter turnaround times by using advanced automation technologies. Lunaphore’s prototype is still in development, and is not yet available for investigational use, performance evaluation, diagnostic procedures, or sale.

“Vitro and Lunaphore have a very good strategical fit to address ISH applications, which are a large portion of the tissue diagnostics market,” says

Ciftlik

Ata Tuna Ciftlik, Lunaphore.

“Our partner Vitro can provide access to key know-how as well as quality ISH reagents, while Lunaphore has a unique automation technology.

“While Lunaphore has so far focused on immunohistology, ISH applications have always remained strategically important,” Ciftlik adds. “This collaboration indeed proves the potential of our technology to address this highly attractive market segment.”

“We have been in the ISH and IHC market for over 10 years, and we have never seen such an advanced platform as Lunaphore’s,” says Javier Fernández, CEO of Vitro. “Its technique breaks away from all preexisting methods and requires new conditions and protocols. We aim to facilitate the ISH tissue staining for routine lab tests by reducing the turnaround time as well as the errors associated with numerous and delicate steps, and thus providing consistent and reproducible results.”

For more information visit Lunaphore and Vitro.