Copyright 2011 Vista Therapeutics, Inc. | All Rights Reserved
Vista Therapeutics is at the forefront of
molecular biomarker measurement.
The core of Vista's technology is
real-time detection utilizing
nanotechnology.
Vista recently introduced the NanoBioSensor™, the first commercial sensor capable of
real-time, multiple biomarker measurement. At the core of Vista's technology are nanowires,
microscopic wires whose conductance varies (with great sensitivity) as the concentration of
target molecules passing over the wires changes.
The NanoBioSensor unit is compact, as shown in the illustrations, and its data output can be
captured in real time on an ordinary PC. The molecules of interest (in solution) can be
pumped over the wires automatically by the unit, or a researcher could manually inject the
solution into the nanowire chip using a pipetman or similar device.
Based on Vista's consultations with scientific, medical, and pharmaceutical personnel, the
ability to monitor serum biomarkers in real time represents a dramatic advancement. Consider
two examples where biomarker measurement is critical. Doctors have told us that for ER
patients, there is often only a small time window in which to successfully assess the severity
of a patient's condition, and that regardless of the intervention subsequently chosen, ongoing
monitoring is essential in regulating the patient's recovery. Pharmaceutical scientists are often
forced to sacrifice animals (at various time points and doses, for instance) in order to
measure biomarkers of interest. Using Vista's NanoBioSensor, much of this monitoring can be
done via a tail-nick or an ear-nick. (Biomedical researchers outside the pharmaceutical
industry regularly find themselves in a similar situation.) In short, not only are Vista's potential
markets huge, there is a significant opportunity to improve the lives of humans and animals.
Vista was co-founded by Spencer Farr, Ph.D., an experienced scientist and entrepreneur, and
Charles Lieber, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at Harvard University. (Dr. Leiber
has been nominated for a Nobel prize for the very technology at the heart of Vista's
NanoBioSensor.) The NanoBioSensor will shortly revolutionize biomarker detection and
monitoring.
LEFT TO RIGHT
Spencer Farr, Ph.D.
Charles Lieber, Ph.D.
Noah Clay, Ph.D.
Lu Wang, Ph.D.
Sam Hicken, Ph.D.
Ron Salesky