APLEX Bio, developer of a next-generation massively multiplexed (hyperplexed) molecular detection technology based on research in collaboration with Professor Mats Nilsson’s laboratory at SciLifeLab, launches company.

The company is based in Stockholm at the Karolinska Institute (KI) campus and is a part of KI Innovations.

“We have developed a unique technology that combines cutting edge nano- & biochemistry to achieve an unparalleled degree of multiplexing performance of probes. With our powerful hyperprobes, we enable a completely new generation of molecular techniques, and the magic is that commonly used lab equipment is enough to generate results using our kits,” says Umear Naseem, CEO and founder.

Aplex Bio

The company’s solution enables laboratories to extract massive amounts of information from valuable samples by detecting more than 100 biomarkers in each sample with minimal added effort and costs while maintaining simple workflows, it states. Current solutions are typically limited to around 5 simultaneous targets that can be analyzed at once. Results are generated instantly in a single step using conventional laboratory equipment, avoiding the need for sequencing or other complex solutions.

“A simple and scalable technology like Aplex Bio’s multiplex technology allowing simultaneous probing of tens to hundreds of target molecules in a single step, combined with extreme sensitivity and singlenucleotide specificity will surely become a game-changer for many molecular diagnostic applications.”

“In our lab we have been developing novel molecular diagnostic tools providing precise analysis of genetic sequences in biological samples for more than 20 years. These methods provide singlenucleotide specificity and spatial resolution, but have been limited in multiplexing capabilities, implying time-consuming and costly procedures to analyze more than 5 target sequences. A simple and scalable technology like Aplex Bio’s multiplex technology allowing simultaneous probing of tens to hundreds of target molecules in a single step, combined with extreme sensitivity and singlenucleotide specificity will surely become a game-changer for many molecular diagnostic applications,” says Professor Mats Nilsson from SciLifeLab.

Better address current and future pandemics

Current pandemic has highlighted the need for routine high multiplexed pathogen testing. APLEX Bio’s technology is an example of how to achieve mass scale precision diagnostics on a routine-basis to better address current and future pandemics. Massive pathogen and variant detection can be achieved for each sample within 3 hours and large number of samples can be handled in automated high-throughput systems. This enables the tracking of not only COVID-19 and its VOCs, but also other viral, bacterial, parasitic diseases and antibiotic resistance genes at the same time.

APLEX Bio now opens an early access program for first customers starting in Q2 2022, it states.

Photo of Umear Naseem and Mats Nilsson