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Fyodor Awarded Phase 2 SBIR Grant from NSF

Fyodor Biotechnologies Awarded Phase 2 SBIR Grant to Develop a Broad Urine-Based Diagnostic Test for Malaria

Baltimore, MD – Sept 18, 2012 – Fyodor Biotechnologies Inc., a Baltimore-based diagnostic and biopharmaceutical company, announced today that the National Science Foundation has awarded the company a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 2 grant. The $476,000 funding will support Fyodor’s effort to develop and validate a broad-based non-invasive, single-step Urine Malaria Test (UMT Broad) for the clinical diagnosis of both Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) and P. vivax (Pv) malaria, which together account for over 98% of all malaria cases worldwide.

“We are extremely pleased and honored to receive this prestigious award from the National Science Foundation,” said Eddy Agbo, DVM, PhD, Chairman & CEO of Fyodor. “This grant will help extend the utility of Fyodor’s current Pf-specific Urine Malaria Test for use in areas where infection can be caused by either or both of the dominant malaria parasite species. We believe that when fully developed, this broad-based (Pf/Pv) Urine Malaria dipstick test will drive current global effort towards home-based diagnosis of malaria within 24 hours in all cases of fever. Attaining this target is currently impossible with the diagnostic tools available today”.

Most malaria deaths occur within 48 hours of onset of symptoms and the ability to diagnose malaria at home or in village settings, where most cases occur, is urgently needed to (i) facilitate prompt access to antimalarial treatment, (ii) target treatment to those who need it, and (iii) reduce malaria mortality. Fyodor’s flagship Urine Malaria Test (UMT), currently undergoing field validation testing, is used for the diagnosis of malaria caused by P. falciparum in persons with fever. Unlike currently available malaria diagnostics, it uses urine rather than blood, enabling point-of-need diagnosis, even in remote areas where laboratory diagnosis is limited or non-existent.

In the Phase 2 project, monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to recombinant antigens designed to express mosaics of novel malaria protein fragments identified in the urine of febrile patients, will be used to develop a broad-based (Pf/Pv) Urine Malaria dipstick test (UMT Broad) suitable for use at home or in point-of-need settings. This UMT-Broad will extend the utility of the flagship UMT and offer a non-invasive alternative to current blood-based tests. Additionally, it will greatly facilitate the delivery of rapid malaria testing in rural settings across all geographical areas where malaria is endemic, markedly impacting the way malaria is diagnosed and treated worldwide.

About Malaria

Malaria is a leading global health problem. Half of the world's population is at risk for malaria, and an estimated 216 million cases lead to over 655,000 deaths annually. More than 80% of deaths from malaria are in children under the age of five (WHO World Malaria Report, 2011). Annually, about 18 million U.S. travelers visit malaria-endemic countries.

About Fyodor Biotechnologies, Inc

Founded in 2008, Fyodor Biotechnologies is focused on the research, development and manufacture of innovative diagnostic and biopharmaceutical products targeted to global health diseases. We identify novel biotechnologies that have compelling relevance to global health diseases and translate them into tangible simple-to-use products.

About the National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2012, its budget is $7.0 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and other institutions. Each year, NSF receives over 50,000 competitive requests for funding, and makes about 11,000 new funding awards. NSF also awards nearly $420 million in professional and service contracts yearly.

Contact

Anne M. Derrick
Vice President, Business Development & Operations
Email: [email protected] | Ph: 1-443-552-0437 | www.fyodorbio.com