Continued growth in 2019 marked by new HD-X product launch, acquisition of the leading neurofilament light (Nf-L) antibody supplier, new corporate headquarters and new ground-breaking neurodegenerative research proving the utility of digital biomarkers across a spectrum of chronic conditions
BILLERICA, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Quanterix Corporation (NASDAQ: QTRX), a company digitizing biomarker analysis with the goal of advancing the science of precision health, marks the end of the first half of 2019 with major milestones as it continues to expand its footprint in neurology and lead the digital biomarker revolution across healthcare. Most recently, on July 1, Quanterix announced it had closed its acquisition of UmanDiagnostics AB, a company widely recognized as the leading provider of antibodies to measure Nf-L.
“Quanterix has realized significant growth attributable to our new technological inovations and company expansions, but also from a growing consensus that biomarkers can transform healthcare,” said Kevin Hrusovsky, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of Quanterix. “Specifically, with Nf-L, there is a growing body of evidence that supports the use of this biomarker as a potential surrogate secondary endpoint in multiple sclerosis (MS) and a co-primary endpoint in traumatic brain injury (TBI) drug trials, and as a promising early indicator of Alzheimer’s disease progression. It is becoming increasingly promising that the ability to measure Nf-L in blood is a significant advance in the diagnosis and monitoring of a wide range of neurodegenerative conditions and could have a profound impact measuring neurological health, which is one of the reasons that we are excited about our acquisition of Uman.”
Quanterix first announced its definitive agreement to acquire privately held Uman on June 26. Based in Umeå, Sweden, Uman has become the provider of choice for biopharmaceutical and diagnostic applications. The acquisition allows Quanterix to supply researchers globally with the “best-in-class” Simoa Nf-L assays, while continuing to innovate new digital biomarkers to advance the field of research in diagnostics for neurological disorders. The deal also positions Quanterix to capitalize on the growth fueled by the momentum in Nf-L as a tremendously promising brain biomarker. Publications citing the Simoa Nf-L assay have accelerated since the assay was launched in 2016 and totaled 172 as of the end of 2018, adding to nearly 400 publications on Uman’s Nf-L antibodies in Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF).
“Nf-L has seen strong growth in the last three years since we developed the first assay using Uman’s antibodies that reliably measures Nf-L in blood, and many of the world’s foremost neurology researchers and clinicians believe that Nf-L may be the most clinically relevant brain biomarker available today,” continued Hrusovsky. “The unique specificity of Uman’s antibodies combined with the exquisite sensitivity of Quanterix’ Simoa platforms enables the world’s most sensitive assay for measuring Nf-L in blood.”
The impact of Quanterix’ strategic investments and milestones as they specifically support Alzheimer’s research will be on full display at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), the largest and most influential international meeting dedicated to dementia science, taking place July 14-18 in Los Angeles, Calif. On July 15, Hrusovsky will provide an update on Quanterix’ progress and plans for fueling neuro biomarker innovations and will moderate a panel discussion featuring several of the world’s foremost researchers in Alzheimer’s disease. To learn more about the event, and to request an invitation, email info@quanterix.com. To meet with Quanterix and learn more about how the company is disrupting Alzheimer’s research, visit Booth #526 during the conference exhibit.
Earlier in June, the company re-engineered ultra-sensitivity with the launch of the Simoa HD-X Analyzer, its latest fully automated Simoa bead-based immunoassay instrument model. The HD-X is the next generation HD-1, launched in 2013, which first made Simoa’s ultrasensitive digital biomarker measurements available to researchers around the world and which has led to over 500 peer-reviewed publications. The ground-breaking HD-X leverages many decades of collective technical expertise and user experiences to deliver the “best-in-class” technological innovation into practical reality for researchers. The new flagship HD-X has been designed to deliver productivity improvements, greater user flexibility, unparalleled sensitivity, and “best-in-class” assay performance across a broad assay menu to empower biomarker research and accelerate drug development.
The acquisition and product launch come on the heels of the company’s relocation to its new state-of-the-art headquarters in Billerica, Mass. Buoyed by Quanterix’ rapid growth, the move unites its CLIA-certified laboratory with its expanding workforce to accelerate entry into pharmaceutical drug services and further increase its impact on the transformation of precision healthcare. The two-story, 92,000 square-foot space features new offices and expanded manufacturing and laboratory space. By bringing all business operations together under the same roof as its CLIA-certified lab and Accelerator Lab providing services to Biopharma, Quanterix is able to offer customers a single home for all of its biomarker research needs across a wide range of therapeutic categories.
The company also announced in June that it had raised nearly $50M through its ATM facility, which provides the company with additional capital to support its investments in innovation and continued growth.