Jacqueline Vet runs a company called NYtor that develops molecular diagnostic assays using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and molecular beacon technology. NYtor works on contract research projects and aims to license developed assays to suitable partners. Current projects include developing a rapid qPCR assay to detect antibiotic-resistant bacteria for use in hospitals. NYtor is also working with another company to develop personalized medicine assays. Future goals include expanding multiplex capabilities and moving to microarray-based formats. Key challenges will be expanding facilities, hiring the right staff, obtaining financing, and refining the business strategy.

1. Jacqueline Vet 24 mei 2012

3. 2007
ZZP-organisation
Activities:
• design and development of prototype molecular diagnostic assays
• workshops/ courses
Business model: contract research

4. ORGANISATION ZZP
NYtor
Universitair Bedrijvencentrum
Toernooiveld 102
Nijmegen
Molecular Beacon Lab (USA) Bio-Rad
HAN BioCentre PHRI, UMDNJ, Dept. of Molecular Genetics 1. Apparatus
2. Reagents
1. Assay design 3. Network
1. Collaboration agreement
2. New technological developments
2. Use labspace Biolegio
3. Collaboration projects 1. primers-probe
3. NYtor hires research analist synthesis
4. Use both networks for new customers
www.hanbiocentre.nl
www.molecular-beacons.org

5. 2012
BV
SERVICES DEVELOPMENT
Business model: designed assays are licensed to suitable party : fee +royalties
Activities: own product development

6. ORGANISATION BV
NYtor office NYtor laboratory
Universitair Bedrijvencentrum Mercator III
Toernooiveld 102 Toernooiveld 1
Nijmegen Nijmegen
Molecular Beacon Lab (USA) Bio-Rad
PHRI, UMDNJ, Dept. of Molecular Genetics 1. Apparatus
2. Reagents
1. Assay design 3. Network
2. New technological developments
Biolegio
3. Collaboration projects 1. primers-probe
synthesis
www.molecular-beacons.org

7. NYtor TECHNOLOGY

8. NYtor TECHNOLOGY
Molecular beacon qPCR-technology
=
DNA-amplification + high specific DNA-detection
(target) (molecular beacon)
24-05-2012

9. NYtor TECHNOLOGY - II
Multiplex Four Target PCR Assay
24-05-2012

10. NYtor TECHNOLOGY - III
Technique developed at Public Health Research Institute (NY, VS)
1995-1998, postdoctoral fellowship: co-inventor / co-patent holder
Licensees: > 50 e.g.: bioMerieux, Becton Dickinson, Gen-Probe, Abbott Laboratories,
Bio-Rad, Affymetrix, Stratagene, Cepheid
24-05-2012

11. Applications
Fields of use for the molecular beacons technology
1. Human in vitro diagnostics
a. Testing for infectious agents 7. Agricultural infectious agents
b. Genetic testing 8. Forensics
c. Oncology 9. Paternity testing
2. Research 10. High-density probe arrays
3. GMO testing 11. Industrial microbiology
4. Food testing 12. Blood products quality control
5. Veterinary diagnostics 13. Environmental pathogens
6. Hybrid seed production

12. Overview developed qPCR assays - I
FOOD/WATER:
•Legionella pneumophila
•Legionella species
•Campylobacter jejuni-coli-lari multiplex
•E.coli 0157
•Listeria monocytogenes
•Listeria species
PHARMACEUTICAL:
•CHO qPCR: quantitation of host-cell residual DNA from Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells
VETERINARY:
•Scrapie genotyping: multiplex detection 5 SNPs (sheep)
•Helicobacter ganmani-rodentium multiplex (fish)
24-05-2012

13. Overview developed qPCR assays - II
CLINICAL:
•HIV-1, HIV-2, HTLV-II and HTLV-II multiplex
•Chlamydia pneumonia and Mycoplasma pneumonia multiplex
•Clostridium difficile ribotypes 017 and 027 multiplex
•Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR)-gene (cardiovascular disease)
MISCELLANEOUS
•RT-qPCR assay to dermine optimum moment of harvesting (pears)
•Lactococcus lactis spp. lactis, spp. cremoris, spp. lactis biovar diacetylactis and
,Leuconostoc monoplex (starter cultures yogurt and cheese)
24-05-2012

14. PROJECTS BV
1. Superbug project (EFRO) - Check-Points
2. Veterinary diagnostics - Biochek
3. Personalized Medicine - Future Diagnostics
24-05-2012

15. SUPERBUG PROJECT
- Fast increase multi resistant bacteria (superbugs)
- Cause resistance: enzymes destroy antibiotics
• Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases (ESBL)
• Klebsiella Pneumonia Carbapenemase (KPC)
• New Delhi Metallo-Beta-Lactamase (NDM-1)
- ESBLs in Klebsiella pneumoniae
2002 2005 2008
Bron: http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/activities/surveillance/EARS-Net/Pages/Database.aspx
Crucial: identification of bacteria at early stage
• optimal treatment of patient
• timely detection outbreaks  prevent spread
24-05-2012

16. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
SuperBug assay
Rapid test for detection of
multi resistant bacteria
DNA PROBE-LIGATIE MICROARRAY
conventionele EXTRACTIE INCUBATIE INCUBATIE & ANALYSE
test 1 uur 3,5 uur 2,5 uur
SuperBug DNA qPCR
EXTRACTIE met MB
assay
1 uur 1 uur
0 2 7
Tijd (uren)
 Essential time saving ! (5 hour reduction to detection)
24-05-2012

17. SAMENWERKINGSPARTNER
Bedrijfsstrategie NYtor: ontwikkelde testen worden ter licentie aangeboden
aan een geschikte marktpartij met bijbehorende royaltyregeling.
Voor de SuperBug assay samenwerking met:
Check-Points BV (Wageningen)
• wereldwijde marktleider op gebied van analyse van
gramnegatieve bacteriën.
• internationaal distributienetwerk in 30 landen
NYtor + Check-Points: sterk team  snelle en efficiënte onwikkeling van
de superbug assay
24-05-2011

18. SUPERBUG – INVESTMENT/EARNINGS
%
EFRO grant 50
Upfront Fee 25
NYtor/KERN 25
Total 100
700
600 SuperBug assay – 10 year prognosis
500
400
REALISTIC
300
200 WORST CASE
100 OPTIMISTIC
0
-100 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
-200
24-05-2011

19. ‘PERSONALIZED MEDICINE’-ASSAYS
• accurate diagnostic tests that identify patients who can benefit from
targeted therapies
• Strategic collaboration with Future Diagnostics
 NYtor: prototype assay development
 Future diagnostics: validation of the prototype assays

20. FUTURE PERSPECTIVES
• Lab-on-a-Chip: coupling self-reporting molecular beacons to micro array format
• Sloppy molecular beacons: increase multiplex format of qPCR up to hunderd targets

21. FUTURE CHALLENGES
• new facilities
• NYtor team: find right people
• financing
• business strategy