HemaXis™ DB10 samples professional cyclists in drug monitoring program

DBS System SA today announced its collaboration with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and the Center of Research and Expertise in anti-Doping sciences (REDs) to monitor the use of Tramadol in the professional peloton. Following the ban of Tramadol use on March 1, the drug has been tested on 143 samples of 117 professional riders at 11 major events on the UCI WorldTour Calendar.

Blood samples have been collected with HemaXis™ DB10, the patented blood collection device manufactured by DBS System SA, a company based in Switzerland. HemaXis DB10 generates reliable blood microsamples straight from the rider’s finger-tip in an instantaneous, user-friendly and cost-effective manner.

HemaXis™ uniquely allows the convenient collection and storage of an accurate quantity of blood in the form of dried blood spots. These standardized dried blood spots enable a dependable analysis, while reducing overall cost and logistic constraints.

“We are proud to announce that HemaXis™ contributes to the health and safety of the competitors.” said Eric Ödman, CEO of DBS System. “We firmly believe that our technology will be the way forward for much improved monitoring of drug use in sport.”

UCI press release available at https://www.uci.org/inside-uci/press-releases/misuse-of-tramadol-uci-report-on-tests-carried-out-during-the-first-part-of-the-2019-season

DBS System’s HemaXis™ DB 10 blood collection device is now CE/IVD marked

DBS System SA announced today that its blood collection device, HemaXis™ DB 10, has been registered with the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products (SwissMedic), and is now CE/IVD marked following the 98/79/EC In vitro Diagnostic Medical Device Directive. HemaXis DB 10 is DBS System’s first-generation device for the collection, transport and storage of a precisely metered quantity of capillary whole blood sample, through a prick at the patient’s fingertip.

DBS System, a Swiss based company, produces blood collection devices that leverage advanced microfluidic technology to simplify and reduce the cost of blood sampling without the need to significantly modify existing laboratory workflows. With the CE mark applied on HemaXis™ DB 10, DBS System will target sales to certified labs performing analysis for clinical trials, diagnostic and wellness testing to monitor health, offering a simple, less invasive and highly cost-efficient alternative to traditional blood collection, thereby overcoming the worldwide challenges blood collection has faced for decades.

DBS System’s device uniquely allows for the patient friendly and standardized collection and storage of an accurate quantity of whole blood. The integration of an industry standard filter paper card for sample storage enables fully automated extraction and analysis using existing equipment. In addition, HemaXis™ DB 10 simplifies the logistics chain because cold storage is not required, resulting in significant cost savings for labs. These benefits provide a clear advantage over traditional dried blood spot collection and competitive devices being launched in the market.

Obtaining the CE mark is a major milestone for DBS System as it will enable us to penetrate the European market by building strong partnerships and a platform for growth in Switzerland and Europe. Coupled with the already secured FDA clearance for the US market, we are now in a position to engage several major research and commercial labs across the two biggest markets of the world, in exciting and growing areas such as wellness testing for preventative care and for alcohol and drugs of abuse screening especially in context of the current opioid epidemic”, says CEO Eric Ödman.

Efficient Alcohol Consumption Monitoring

PEth testing is quickly becoming the preferred choice for alcohol consumption monitoring and HemaXis DB offers a complete solution to simplify and improve the PEth testing process. View a summary of the benefits of using HemaXis DB with PEth testing for efficient alcohol consumption monitoring and download an application note developed with ACQ Science to get detailed information on adding PEth testing with HemaXis DB into your workflow.

Links:
PEth Testing page
Application Note

 

HemaXis DB launched in the U.S. with FDA listing

DBS System has launched their HemaXis DB micro blood collection device in the United States with an FDA Class 1 medical device listing. HemaXis DB is DBS System’s first generation device for the collection, transport and storage of capillary whole blood samples. DBS System, a Swiss based company, produces blood collection devices that leverage advanced microfluidic technology to simplify and reduce the cost of blood sampling without the need to modify existing laboratory workflows. With its U.S. market launch, DBS System will target sales to certified labs performing analysis for pre-clinical trials, pre-diagnostic and wellness testing to monitor health.

HemaXis DB offers a complete and practical solution to collect precise volumes of capillary whole blood at the fingertip with levels of standardization and reliability comparable to a micropipette. The integration of an industry standard filter card for sample storage enables fully automated extraction and analysis using existing equipment. In addition, the function and design of HemaXis DB simplifies the logistics chain because cold storage is not required and it fits within the existing laboratory workflow, all together resulting in significant cost savings for labs. These benefits provide a clear advantage over traditional dried blood spot collection and competitive devices being launched in the market.

“The FDA listing is an important milestone for DBS System as it will enable us to build strong partnerships and a platform for growth in the U.S., where the estimated yearly addressable market size for blood testing is USD 8 Billion. We have several U.S. researchers and commercial labs that have evaluated HemaXis DB in exciting and growing areas such as wellness testing for preventative care and for alcohol and drugs of abuse screening especially in context of the current opioid epidemic”, says CEO Eric Ödman. To drive rapid adoption of the HemaXis DB device, DBS System’s team of scientists also provide analytical method support to help implement HemaXis into customer labs workflow.

Last year, DBS System raised 2.5M CHF (approx. 2.5M USD) to industrialize it’s second generation HemaXis DX device that passively separates plasma or serum from whole blood, thus dramatically increasing the range of tests capable of being run on dried blood samples. DBS System aims to establish itself as the leading manufacturer of medical devices for collecting and preparing micro samples of whole blood, plasma and serum with its patented HemaXis™ platform of microfluidic devices.

USPTO Patent Granted For HemaXis Microfluidic Blood Collection Platform

We are proud to announce the USPTO patent covering our 1st Generation micro blood collection device, HemaXis DB, has been fully granted under “Device and Method for Dried Fluid Spot Analysis”. This further secures the market potential for our innovative HemaXis™ platform and the opportunity to leverage its microfluidic based technology. See HemaXis DB in action below and then register with us under the Connect menu option to order a free evaluation kit.

DBS System raises CHF 2.5M to produce revolutionary micro blood collection device capable of true passive plasma separation

DBS System announced it closed its Series A at CHF 2.5M which included the direct investment of a Swiss pension fund. DBS System produces blood collection devices that leverage advanced microfluidic technology, greatly simplifying and reducing the cost of blood sampling without modifying existing lab analysis workflows. With this investment, DBS System will industrialize its second generation HemaXis™ blood collection device that passively separates plasma or serum from whole blood thus dramatically increasing the range of tests capable of being run on dried blood spot samples by certified laboratories.

The CHF 2.5M investment round was completed with CHF 1.0M coming from DBS System’s existing shareholders and private business angels and the additional CHF 1.5M was led by investiere.ch with CHF 0.8M coming from investiere.ch’s business angels and CHF 0.7M from the Swiss pension fund Nest. Nest is building a Swiss venture portfolio in partnership with investiere.ch and is systematically co-investing alongside investiere.ch’s business angels. Nest’s investment in DBS System is the first example of this partnership.

DBS System aims to establish itself as the leading manufacturer of medical devices for collecting and preparing micro samples of whole blood, plasma and serum with its patented HemaXis™ platform of microfluidic devices. DBS System is already producing and selling its first-generation device, HemaXis DB for whole blood collection and is establishing partnerships with major labs in Europe and the US.

Building on the advantages of their first-generation device, HemaXis DP will be the world’s first microfluidic device capable of producing ultra pure plasma or serum at the fingertip with a truly passive method that eliminates the need for centrifugation, filtration or any other assistance. DBS System’s patented technology promises to vastly expand the potential of micro blood samples and unleash the power of labs to test and monitor your health.

“The advantages of our technology are clear: the device can be used by anyone in a non-medical environment, blood samples are reliable, secured and standardized, logistics are simplified, and it fits within the existing workflow, all together resulting in significant  cost savings for labs” says CEO Eric Ödman. “This model is beneficial for us and our partners because they can expand their market by reaching more patients and it enables us to leverage them to build awareness and prescribe the use of our devices through their distribution networks in an estimated addressable market size of USD 20 Billion”.

DBS System recognized as a Top 50 Startup by Bilan

The DBS System team is proud to announce that Bilan selected us as one of Switzerland’s Top 50 startups out of 156 candidates. It’s recognition that our HemaXis™ blood collection platform is set to revolutionize blood sampling by “Unleashing Labs to Stay Well”.

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EandJu Cover

English translation of highlighted content from article segment on DBS System

With only CHF 600,000 raised in 2015, the founders of DBS System succeeded in developing, patenting and industrializing a new technology while building a network with academic institutions around the lake of Geneva for the validation process. By reducing the amount of blood collected by a factor of 1000 and shiping it in dry form, thus eliminating the expensive cold storage, this technology, which combines microfluidic components and filter paper card, radically simplifies the collection and analysis of blood samples. DBS System has prototyped a second generation of its technology and shown through a first partnership that its B2B model integrates very well into the existing laboratory workflow.

Contact: Eric Odman, eodman@dbs-system.ch

Patrick Aebischer recommends this start-up

Article Clip 2

CH Invest infographic

Reprinted with permission from Bilan, www.bilan.ch

http://www.bilan.ch/plus-de-redaction/50-start-triees-volet

Nest investira une part de son capital dans des start-up

La fondation collective entame un partenariat inédit avec la plateforme d’investissement zougoise Investiere.ch afin de placer une partie de ses avoirs dans des jeunes pousses. L’argent sera surtout destiné à des entreprises déjà en phase de croissance

Le faible engagement des caisses de pension dans le soutien à la création d’entreprises est un sujet de débat récurrent en Suisse. La fondation collective Nest prend le contre-pied de cette tendance et s’impliquera dans le processus de financement de jeunes pousses. Elle a conclu un partenariat avec la plateforme d’investissement Investiere.ch. Cette société basée à Zoug, présente aussi à Genève et Zurich, a déjà réalisé plus de 50 tours de financement de start-up. Si elle supervisera le processus de sélection des jeunes pousses, Nest donnera néanmoins son feu vert à chaque investissement.

La fondation envisage d’investir dès cette année «plusieurs millions de francs» répartis entre 8 et 12 investissements, indique au Temps Caroline Schum, responsable pour la Suisse romande chez Nest. Par rapport aux 2,3 milliards d’actifs sous gestion de la fondation, la part investie dans ce domaine restera modeste: «Le capital-risque représente une partie de nos investissements en private equity et la part investie dans les start-up ne dépassera pas 0,5% du portefeuille total», met-elle en perspective.

D’autres collaborations en vue

Steffen Wagner, cofondateur et codirecteur de Investiere.ch, espère répéter de tels partenariats. «Nous savons déjà que d’autres caisses de pension sont intéressées. Nous anticipons que deux ou trois caisses de pension puissent intégrer notre modèle d’affaires au cours de cette année», estime-t-il.

Selon lui, le manque de financement se fait surtout ressentir dans le segment des investissements situés entre 3 et 10 millions de francs. Dans le domaine du capital d’amorçage («seed»), avec des levées de fonds allant typiquement jusqu’à 500 000 francs, les start-up peuvent compter sur différentes sources de financement, qu’elles soient d’origine privées ou publiques. Dans la seconde catégorie, qui va d’un demi-million à 3 millions, il existe aussi plusieurs programmes de soutien, à l’exemple de la Commission pour la technologie et l’innovation (CTI) en Suisse ou de Innovaud pour le canton de Vaud. Ensuite, le capital-risque prend le relais.

Lire aussi: Une prise de sang sans douleur

Jusqu’ici, Investiere.ch était avant tout active dans le deuxième segment à partir de 500 000 francs. Désormais, la plateforme ciblera les entreprises qui se trouvent dans une phase de croissance ultérieure où il s’agit de trouver des fonds pour assurer la suite de l’expansion d’une société.

Pour l’année en cours, Investiere.ch prévoit «d’au moins doubler» le montant de 6,8 millions de francs atteint en 2016, selon Steffen Wagner. Cela ne va pas pour autant se traduire par une multiplication par deux du nombre de projets financés. En 2016, Investiere.ch a participé à 13 cycles de financement. Pour l’année en cours, le codirecteur envisage environ 18 à 20 financements, mais avec des opérations de plus grande taille.

La vaudoise DBS System en profitera

Parmi les bénéficiaires du partenariat, on trouve notamment l’entreprise vaudoise DBS System, active dans les techniques médicales de prélèvements sanguins. Son directeur, Eric Ödman, évoque le passage délicat entre la phase initiale du lancement de sa start-up et les besoins de financement supplémentaires qui ont suivi son expansion. «La fondation proprement dite de la société n’a pas été trop difficile. Ensuite, nous avons aussi pu compter sur d’autres soutiens, comme ceux de la Fondation pour l’innovation technologique (FIT) ou la CTI. Nous avons aussi eu l’appui d’Innovaud pour certains aspects, notamment dans les domaines de la fiscalité ou de la comptabilité», explique-t-il. Le passage du concept à l’élaboration des premiers produits a en revanche été plus difficile. La transition entre la phase d’amorçage à celle de la croissance de la société est une période critique, relate le fondateur de DBS System.

Quel rôle peut jouer une caisse de pension? Il y a, d’un côté, les moyens financiers supplémentaires qui pourront être obtenus mais aussi, d’un autre côté, les aspects liés à la réputation. «Quand des investisseurs institutionnels sont impliqués dans le financement d’une société, cela accroît aussi sa crédibilité», souligne-t-il.

Nest espère être suivi par d’autres institutions de prévoyance. «Au travers de cette collaboration avec investiere.ch, nous montrons la voie pour investir de façon moderne dans des start-up. Pas besoin pour cela de contrainte étatique, mais plutôt de passer la parole aux actes. La Suisse est un pôle d’innovation de classe mondiale – il n’est que logique d’y investir!», conclut sa responsable Caroline Schum.

MEDICA 2016 Düsseldorf, Germany, Hall 3 / K45 – Nov 14 – 16, 2016

Visit us in the booth of MiniFab, our development and manufacturing partner, to learn more about how HemaXis can help your laboratory leverage the benefits of micro blood sampling. We also invite you to contact Jacob Botta, CSMO at jbotta@dbs-system.ch to plan a scheduled meeting.

MEDICA is the largest medical trade fair in the world. In 2015 MEDICA attracted around 5,000 exhibitors from 70 countries. Each year it is attended by leading individuals from the fields of business, research, and politics, alongside tens of thousands of national and international experts and decision-makers. With an extensive exhibition and an ambitious program MEDICA presents the entire spectrum of innovations for outpatient and clinical care.