Press releases and news

Exciting Times in the World of Proteomics!

23-10-19, Uppsala

Thermo Fisher Scientific’s remarkable $3.1 billion acquisition of Olink Proteomics is a testament to the incredible technology that forms the foundation of Olink Proteomics. Olink’s advancements in proteomics have significant impacts on both ongoing drug discovery and future precision medicine. 

Navinci and Olink Proteomics share the same ancestry, starting as a university spin-out from Ulf Landegren’s lab at Uppsala University and the invention of the Naveni® Proximit yLigation Assay. While Olink Proteomics has developed the PEA technology and with great knowledge and persistence, accelerating the entire field of proteomics, we’ve continued to build upon the same technological base of Proximity Ligation Assay. 

Our focus at Navinci has been on developing Naveni Technology for in situ protein analysis in a spatial biology context, shedding light on protein function in spatial proteomics. As former members of the Olink family, we’re delighted to witness the remarkable success of Olink Proteomics, big congratulations to the whole team, that we know has worked very hard to make this happen! 

Our journey continues in the realm of illuminating function in spatial proteomics, and we’re eager to contribute to this dynamic field. Stay tuned for our upcoming developments!

Expanding our reach – new distribution partnership in Italy

23-10-10, Uppsala

Navinci is excited to announce a distribution collaboration with EuroClone, a strategic move aimed at advancing our global sales expansion efforts. This partnership will enable us to bring Naveni® Proximity Ligation Assay kits to the Italian life science research and pharma industry. 

EuroClone is renowned for its extensive distribution network, market reach, and commitment to customer satisfaction. Their expertise makes them a valuable addition as we work towards expanding our presence across Europe. 

“I am delighted that Navinci is partnering with EuroClone. Italy holds significant importance for Navinci, and with EuroClone’s experience and deep knowledge, they are the ideal organization for this collaboration. I eagerly anticipate working with EuroClone to empower Italian researchers with our innovative tools.” — Daniel Ekman, Distribution Manager 

New Research Unveils p53 Aggregates’ Vital Role in Ovarian Cancer Prognosis and Treatment Strategies

23-10-02, Uppsala

Nicole Heinzl at the Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria has, together with co-authors, recently published a study in Oncogene. The authors used our NaveniFlex™ assay for the studies, and we are very proud that our research tools proved to be of great importance in ovarian cancer research. 

Heinzl et al. investigated the role of protein aggregation, particularly focusing on the aggregation of the p53 protein, in ovarian cancer (OC). The researchers found that p53 aggregates can serve as an independent prognostic marker in OC.

Notably, OC samples with missense mutations in the TP53 gene exhibited significantly more p53 aggregates compared to tumors with wild-type TP53, deletions, or nonsense mutations. Interestingly, both structural and contact mutations in TP53 were associated with p53 aggregation. However, the level of p53 aggregation varied among tumors with the same mutation, suggesting that cofactors play a role in the formation of p53 aggregates.

The study also evaluated patient outcomes based on the level of p53 aggregation and found that high levels of p53 aggregation were associated with prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) and, to some extent, overall survival (OS). High p53 aggregation was also linked to increased p53 autoantibody titers and elevated apoptosis markers, which may explain the improved outcomes in these patients. The research underscores the importance of quantitatively measuring p53 aggregates and suggests that this approach could aid in therapeutic decision-making. Furthermore, the study highlights the potential for targeting p53 aggregates as a novel strategy in cancer therapeutics, potentially offering new avenues for treatment. The use of techniques like NaveniFlex™ based on the Naveni® Proximity Ligation Assay for assessing p53 aggregation in clinical settings could be valuable for patient stratification and personalized treatment approaches.

This is a quote from the publication:

“The PLA, performed to verify the ELISA results, is an additional promising diagnostic tool as it allows the analysis of FFPE tissue sections and makes p53 aggregation assessment clinically applicable.”

This is how Nicole Heinzl describes why they use NaveniFlex for the studies of p53 aggregates:  

Over the past years, we have extensively employed the proximity ligation assay (PLA); however, we encountered sensitivity issues, particularly when working with tissue sections. Our recent adoption of Navinci’s cutting-edge technology has led to a remarkable increase in the amount of signals, along with the successful elimination of non-specific background noise. This has enabled us to apply the PLA for the reliable detection of p53 aggregates in patient tissues for the first time. We are confident that this innovative technology will pave the way for broader application of p53 aggregation diagnostics in the future.

CICON23, 20-23 September, Milan Italy

23-09-20, Uppsala

Doroteya Raykova will present our poster Unraveling the tumor microenvironment with spatial proteomics: in situ detection of immune checkpoint interactions in cancer patient tissues (PDF). Inge Cyrén, Area Manager for North America will also be representing Navinci. Please reach out to them if you want to book a meeting. We hope to see you there!

Expanding Your Options with NaveniLink™

23-09-15, Uppsala

Would you like to perform a proximity ligation assay using your own primary antibodies? Our NaveniLink conjugation kit allows you to do just that. You can use your primary antibodies and easily conjugate them with our proprietary oligonucleotide sequences. These conjugates can be seamlessly integrated into our Naveni® product line, which includes NaveniFlex™ Cell, NaveniFlex Tissue, and NaveniBright.

Product Advancement: Elevate Your Research With the Optimized NaveniFlex™ Cell

23-09-13, Uppsala

We know that diverse sample types demand tailored solutions. To maximize the value of your samples, we refined and optimized our Flexible offerings and aligned them closer to your needs. Introducing NaveniFlex Cell, an optimized advancement that builds upon the strong foundation of our NaveniFlex™ technology.

This cutting-edge kit is meticulously fine-tuned for in situ cell analysis and delivers enhanced signal strength, a shorter protocol including a separate protocol for 96-well plates. Whether detecting protein-protein interactions, post-translational modifications, or low-abundance proteins within cells, NaveniFlex Cell stands as your ultimate solution. Offering flexibility, the kit is compatible with primary antibodies from mouse-rabbit, goat-rabbit, and goat-mouse sources.  For those focusing on tissue samples, our NaveniFlex Tissue kit offers an alternative optimized product line, specifically tailored for tissue-based studies.

NaveniFlex in Autophagy publication

23-08-23, Uppsala

We’re excited to see that our Naveni® technology has been referenced in a fantastic publication describing novel insights into the process of lysosomal degradation of mitochondria (mitophagy) (Godtliebsen et al. 2023, Autophagy).

The authors used ingenious double tagging of mitochondria, where the green signal was quenched at low pH, whereas red was acid-stable. To induce a metabolic shift to oxidative phosphorylation, they adapted rat cardiac myoblasts to galactose in glucose-free medium and observed that lead to lysosomal engulfment and fragmentation of mitochondria seen as red-only (acidic) structures.

Navinci’s NaveniFlex™ MR kit was used to visualize the interaction between the matrix protein PDHA1 and the autophagy marker MAP1LC3B on mitochondria and on red-only dots. It revealed that the interaction was only present in mitochondria but not on red-only dots, with no difference between Gal-adapted vs control cells. This suggests that autophagy is ongoing in mitochondria before acidification, but also points towards MAP1LC3B not being the main mediator of enhanced mitochondrial degradation in conditions of oxidative phosphorylation. The implied redundancy in the degradation mechanisms only goes to underscore the crucial role of mitophagy.

23-07-05 Uppsala

Ann Arbor, MI – 07/05/2023 – Global life sciences supplier Cayman Chemical (Cayman) announced today a strategic partnership with Navinci Diagnostics (Navinci), a Swedish biotechnology company developing innovative tools for spatial proteomics. This partnership expands access to Navinci’s portfolio of proximity ligation-based solutions for spatial proteomics to US- and Canada-based researchers through Cayman’s strong customer base and catalog of over 20,000 products.

Navinci’s expanding product line is built on the Naveni® Proximity Ligation Technology. This pioneering technology offers researchers an invaluable asset, enabling them to unlock the intricate functionality of proteins and gain profound insights into the biology of diseases and biological processes. With unrivaled precision and reliability, Navinci empowers researchers to maximize the information obtained from each analysis. Through the visualization and quantification of proteins, their interactions, and modifications in situ at the molecular level, Navinci’s products facilitate a comprehensive understanding of biological mechanisms in cells and tissues, including FFPE tissue.

The proprietary in situ kits offered by Navinci are available in five product categories. Flexible products, including NaveniFlex®, Naveni® TriFlex and NaveniBright® are designed to give researchers flexibility in target selection and experimental design. Target-specific products, including Naveni® PTMs (post-translational modifications) and Naveni® PPI (protein-protein interaction), are ready-to-use kits that feature an optimized primary antibody detection system and all reagents required for the assay. Options are available for fluorescent or chromogenic detection and cells or tissue samples.

Navinci is continuously expanding its product portfolio. The latest additions are the Naveni® PD1/PD-L1 kits. These groundbreaking assays mark a significant milestone as the first commercially available tools for detecting and visualizing the interaction of PD1 and PD-L1 in situ. Designed with a specific focus on accuracy and precision, the Naveni® PD1/PD-L1 kits provide researchers with invaluable insights into immune checkpoint activation and a comprehensive visualization of the tumor microenvironment. With the potential to enable precise patient stratification and enhance disease knowledge, these kits showcase Navinci’s commitment to driving advancements in the field.

“We are excited that, by adding the Navinci product line to our catalog, we can help researchers discover breakthroughs and uncover new therapies,” said Karin Dunbar, Director of Marketing at Cayman. “Cayman is at the forefront of providing life science researchers with cutting-edge tools, and Navinci’s products compliments our expanding portfolio of products and contract services well.”

Subham Basu, Ph.D., Navinci Chief Business Officer, said, “We are very excited to work with Cayman to expand our reach and ensure that all US and Canadian researchers interested in spatial proteomics can benefit from our targeted and flex assays. We look forward to co-promotional activities and especially welcome the chance to engage with our customers via Cayman at road shows and other live events.”

 

About Cayman Chemical

Cayman Chemical helps make research possible by supplying scientists worldwide with biochemical tools used to understand cancer, neurochemistry, oxidative injury, endocrinology, atherosclerosis, and other human health challenges. Our scientists are experts in the synthesis, purification, and characterization of biochemicals ranging from small drug-like heterocycles to complex biolipids, fatty acids, and many others for use as research reagents and qualified standards. We are also highly skilled in all aspects of assay and antibody development, protein expression, crystallization, and structure determination. In addition, we offer a wide range of analytical services using LC-MS/MS, HPLC, GC, and many other techniques. Cayman performs generic drug development and production in both Ann Arbor, Michigan and Neratovice, Czech Republic.
Learn more at www.caymanchem.com

The complete collection of Navinci products is available through Cayman online.

23-06-12 Uppsala

Navinci expands its portfolio to unravel PD1 signaling, introducing the fluorescent assay, Naveni™ PD1/PD-L1 Atto 647N. With Naveni™ PD1/PD-L1 Atto 647N, you can now achieve a comprehensive visualization of the tumor microenvironment through co-staining. Illuminate PD1/PD-L1 interactions like never before and gain a deeper understanding of immune checkpoint activation. 

Read more: https://navinci.dev.phosdev.se/pd1-signaling 

23-06-12 Uppsala

A new product will be unveiled at the EACR Congress, where the Navinci team, consisting of Ida Hansson (Scientific Sales Specialist), Eva Auieong (Laboratory Manager), Hampus Elofsson (Senior Scientist), and Daniel Ekman (Customer Support Manager), will showcase our latest developments at booth 79. Make sure to visit us to discover our groundbreaking innovations. 

Additionally, don’t miss our poster presentation, numbered #0207, presented by Eva. During the session, we will delve into the immense potential of our PD1/PD-L1 assay. 

23-04-21 Uppsala

Navinci is joining Spatial Biology UK an Oxford Global event in London April 25-26th , a 2-day event that explores spatial research: from the application of spatial technologies in biology through to topical updates from spatial genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics and spatial bioinformatics.
We will be there at booth 9, giving you the latest innovations on how to detect protein-protein interactions and how we are bringing precision to spatial proteomics.

If you go there you will meet, Subham Basu CBO, Daniel Ekman Customer support manager, and Ida Hansson Scientific Sales specialist

Uppsala 11/4-2023

Navinci Diagnostics AB, a Swedish life science company developing innovative tools for spatial proteomics research, announces the appointment of Dr Subham Basu as new Chief Business Officer, effective April 11^th 2023.

Dr Subham Basu will join Navinci to lead the organizational build-up and international commercialization of the unique Navinci product portfolio for Spatial Proteomics, enabling detection of protein-protein interactions in tissue and cell samples.

Prior to joining Navinci, Dr. Basu served as the Senior Director for Commercial Strategy for Immuno-oncology and Oncology at Abcam. He has also worked in medical affairs and market access at AZ, Shire/Baxalta, Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, and Genzyme, where he focused on oncology, hematology, and rare diseases. Additionally, Dr. Basu has served as Head of Strategy at Inflection Point Biomedical Advisors, where he advised the pharmaceutical and diagnostic industries as well as venture capital funds. Before his industry roles, Dr. Basu directed a cancer research laboratory focused on cell signaling and cell biology at Barts Cancer Institute in London.

Subham Basu holds a PhD in Molecular Pharmacology from Cornell’s Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center) and a BA in Neuroscience from the University of California at Berkeley.

Navinci offers development services and ready-to-use laboratory reagent kit for the studies of protein-protein interactions and precise protein detections in tissue and cell samples. As previously communicated, the company has launched the first commercial assay to accurately detect and visualize the immune checkpoint interaction between the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) and PD1-ligand (PD-L1) in tissue samples. The assay launch is the first step in building a complete portfolio of target-specific assays for immune-oncology research and represents a significant advance in spatial proteomics. Furthermore, Navinci will present four scientific posters at American Association of Cancer Research in Orlando, Florida, this April, high light-ing the recent advances in the field.

“I am very excited to join Navinci and contribute to the advances in Spatial Biology Research and Diagnostics. The unique solutions offered by Navinci can significantly contribute to a better understanding of disease mechanisms and will advance drug discovery and translational research in oncology and beyond The great product portfolio and the ambitious team and plans attracted me to the company, and I look much forward to getting onboard and helping researchers across industry and academia.”

Dr Subham Basu, Chief Business Officer

“I am are thrilled to continue the strengthening of the Navinci leadership and welcome Dr Subham Basu to the team. I look much forward to working with him to achieve our goals and drive success for our customers. With his extensive experience and credentials, we know that Subham is well-positioned to help drive the growth of Navinci and further advance our mission of bringing precision to spatial proteomics.”

Robert Gunnarsson, Chief Executive Officer

Uppsala 31/3-2023

Navinci will attend AACR on April 14-19th in Orlando, US. We will showcase our latest product designs and tell you what is new in protein-protein interaction technology. You can find us in the exhibition hall (booth 1771) and at the scientific sessions with four poster presentations including a collaboration with Lunaphore. Read more

Uppsala 29/3-2023

Are you in Uppsala? Stop by BMC, Navet, and the Life Science exhibition!

We will be there on March 30th, between 09.00-15.00, this is a chance to receive information and updates from us and 9 others of the leading life science companies in Sweden (and to get some goodies).

SciLifeLab Uppsala, BMC (Entrance: C11), Husargatan 3,

Uppsala 6/3-2023

Seminar: How to detect protein-protein interactions – Latest innovations in Proximity Ligation Technology  

March 15th, Biomedicum D1012 Karolinska Institutet, Solna Sweden 

We’re excited to invite you to our in-person seminar! In this session, you will learn how to visualize protein interplay in situ and how the latest Naveni proximity ligation technologies are pioneering molecular biology research.  

Come learn about the latest advancements in spatial proteomics and get some coffee and cinnamon buns.  

Doroteya Raykova (Application Scientist), Daniel Ekman (Customer support manager) and Ida Hansson (Sales Area Manager) will answer all your questions on how to get started and what to think about in the lab when setting up your proximity ligation experiment. 

Please pre-register to secure your bun!

 

See seminar schedule

 

Uppsala 20/2-2023

In line with the company’s vision of becoming a leader in spatial proteomics, Navinci further strengthens its organization and is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Eva Pisa as new chairman of the board, Dr. Caroline Gallant as new CTO and the formation of a Scientific Advisory Board chaired by Professor Ulf Landegren.

Last year and as previously communicated, Navinci took important steps towards accelerating commercialization and market leadership in spatial proteomics. In July, Navinci announced the closing of a SEK 90 million financing led by Segulah Medical Acceleration together with the existing shareholders. In September, the company launched the first commercial assay to accurately detect and visualize the immune checkpoint interaction between the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) and PD1-ligand (PD-L1) in tissue samples. The assay launch is the first step in building a complete portfolio of target-specific assays for immune-oncology research and represents a significant advance in spatial proteomics. Rounding out 2022, Navinci released a first of its kind proximity ligation assay, the Naveni TriFlex Cell. The TriFlex assay simultaneously detects individual proteins and their interaction thereby providing a powerful tool to study proteins and their interplay in cells.

In line with the growing focus on commercialization, the company appointed Dr Eva Pisa as new chairman of the board. Dr. Pisa started her career at Karolinska Institute in Stockholm and has 30 years of experience from R&D and commercial roles in diagnostic and life science industries. Dr. Pisa currently serves on the Board of Directors of HSE AG, Switzerland, Envetec Ltd., Ireland and Qiagen NV, Holland. Maria Tell also joins the Board representing Segulah Medical Acceleration. Ms. Tell brings over 15 years of experience in marketing, business strategy, investment, and investor relations within the life science and medtech industries. Navinci also established a Scientific Advisory Board chaired by founder and co-owner, Professor Ulf Landegren. The Scientific Advisory Board members are Professor Jan Anderson, Karolinska Institute, Professor Mats Nilsson, Stockholm University, Professor Carolina Wählby, Uppsala University and Assistant Professor Daniel Fürth, Uppsala University. The group comprises of individuals with deep expertise in the fields of image analysis, in situ technology development and medical research.

The Navinci leadership team, led by CEO Robert Gunnarsson, is strengthened with the recruitment of Dr. Caroline Gallant, taking on a newly formed role as Chief Technology Officer. Dr Gallant joins Navinci from 10X Genomics and brings extensive experience of in situ molecular technology development. Dr. Gallant will lead the companies technology innovation activities, whereas Dr. Agata Zieba Wicher, Chief Scientific Officer, will lead the product development and scientific collaborations. As will be announced shortly, Navinci has recruited a new Chief Business Officer who will lead the organizational build-up and commercialization of the unique Navinci product portfolio.

“I am excited to join Navinci in this dynamic and fast-moving phase. Navinci has an exciting product offering based on unique technology invented by Ulf Landegren and colleagues. The talented team has delivered on the set strategy and goals and created an offer that differentiates Navinci from other actors in the field.  I am looking forward to working with the board of directors and the Navinci team to contribute to increased understanding of the fascinating world of protein interactions.”. – Eva Pisa, Chairman of the Board.

“I am looking forward to working with Eva Pisa on the next exciting part of Navinci´s journey in providing tools to better understand the protein interactions in immune oncology. With the addition of Caroline Gallant to the leadership team and her expertise in this field we have further strengthened our scientific power. I am also pleased that we could attract such outstanding scientific professionals to our Scientific Advisory Board who will provide us with cutting edge knowledge in imaging techniques, molecular tools and bring clinical oncology insights.” – Robert Gunnarsson, CEO of Navinci Diagnostics AB.

About us

Navinci (formerly known as Olink Bioscience) is a Swedish life science company that develops and markets spatial biology technologies and products to detect proteins, their interactions, and modifications in tissue and cell samples Navinci serves scientists in research and drug development with a growing portfolio of proprietary laboratory reagent kits. The company is headquartered in Uppsala, Sweden, and the technology is distributed from its headquarter or via its distribution partners globally.

Uppsala 24/1-2023

Launch of NaveniFlex™ Tissue 

Looking for protein-protein interactions or post-translational modifications in tissues? We’ve got you covered. The advanced Naveni™ proximity ligation technology we developed for NaveniFlex™ Tissue kits is tailor-made to overcome common background challenges in tissue samples. The kits are optimized for tissue samples to deliver highly reproducible and accurate results even for the least abundant protein interactions.  

What is new?  

Tissues are complex multicellular structures where fluorescently labeled detection reagents have been observed to bind unspecifically. To address this unspecific binding, we have developed a new proprietary solution for fluorescent detection of protein-protein interactions (PPI) and post-translational modifications (PTM) in FFPE and frozen human and mouse tissues. Now you can generate and visualize signals that would otherwise be obscured by background, thereby greatly increasing sensitivity of detection.  

Uppsala 30/11-2022

Discover the secret life of proteins – simultaneously visualize two proteins in a free and complex state 

Ever wish there were a way to take a snapshot of two proteins as they interact or remain unbound? Now, the door is open to study protein interplay and functional states while keeping the structural integrity of cells. Our latest innovation, Naveni™TriFlex Cell, uncovers protein complex formation and disassembly in response to different stimuli in situ. This revolutionary proximity-based technology concurrently visualizes two proteins in a free and complex state, within any cell compartment. Naveni™TriFlex Cell enables you to shed light on the hidden lives of proteins. 

Uppsala 15/09-2022

Navinci Diagnostics AB, a Swedish life science company developing innovative tools for spatial proteomics research, today announces the release of the first commercially available assay to detect the immune checkpoint PD1/PD-L1 in FFPE samples. 

Activation of Programmed Death protein 1 (PD1) is an essential step in the signaling pathway controlling T-cell exhaustion. This mechanism allows tumor cells to evade the immune system in many cancer patients.  To activate T-cell exhaustion, the PD1 protein requires interaction with programmed death protein ligand 1 (PD-L1) as well as phosphorylation ^4,5. However, neither interaction between PD1 and PD-L1 nor the phosphorylation of PD1 is well studied in tissue, mainly due to a lack of specific methods.

PD1/PD-L1 signaling has proven significant in cancer progression, and immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting PD1/PD-L1 have emerged as essential therapies for cancer patients.¹ But despite the success, many patients do not benefit from these therapies, and predictive biomarkers improving patient stratification are needed.^1-3  

Today, the leading technology used to determine whether a patient is likely to benefit from PD1/PD-L1 immunotherapy is PD-L1 immunohistochemistry (IHC). However, existing PD-L1 assays are insufficiently standardized, and the PD-L1 positivity of patient samples doesn’t directly correlate with activation of the inhibitory pathway or patient response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. ³ PD1/PD-L1 interaction has predictive value for patient prognosis and survival. Still, until now, the possibilities to detect it in tissue samples have been very limited³. 

The new Naveni PD1/PD-L1 interaction assay detects the immune checkpoint interaction between PD1 and PD-L1 in fixed tissue sections. In addition, Navinci also releases an assay to show PD1 activation by detection of phosphorylated PD1. The assays are easy-to-use with all reagents included and require only standard laboratory and microscope equipment. 

“I am very proud of our R&D team who have developed this unique assay to meet needs in the immuno-oncology research and drug development field. With this tool, scientists can better understand the mechanism of immune response to tumors and ultimately design better drugs to treat patients. This release marks the beginning of our mission to build a large portfolio of assays to support the immuno-oncology research field” – Robert Gunnarsson, CEO of Navinci Diagnostics AB. 

Uppsala 14/09-2022

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized cancer immunotherapy, and more than 3000 anti-PD1/PD-L1 therapies are currently in clinical trials. The leading technology used to determine whether a patient is likely to benefit from PD1/PD-L1 immunotherapy is PD-L1 immunohistochemistry. However, this test doesn’t reveal whether the interaction between PD1 and PD-L1 actually occurs, and correlates poorly with patient response to treatment.

PD1/PD-L1 interaction has predictive value for patient prognosis and survival, but up until now, the possibilities to detect it in tissue samples have been very limited.

Here is how our newly developed in situ assay makes a difference:

Naveni PD1/PD-L1 is a Proximity Ligation Assay for the specific detection of the PD1/PD-L1 interaction in situ. The assay can be performed on FFPE and fresh frozen tissue samples. The assay has been verified in several different human FFPE tissues, such as Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Tonsil, Lung acinar adenocarcinoma, Lung squamous cell carcinoma, Malignant Melanoma, Colon adenocarcinoma, and Pancreatic ductal carcinoma.

 

Read more here

Uppsala 23/08-2022

Dr. Athanasios Alexandris is a postdoc at the department of Pathology at Johns Hopkins in the lab of Professor Vassilis E. Koliatsos. They explore the fundamental mechanisms of neural responses to traumatic and degenerative signals, and are especially interested in the role of injury-related stress MAPK cascades, NAD+ metabolism, SARM1 signaling and their convergence on Wallerian degeneration.

Wallerian degeneration, a neurodegenerative process activated when nerves are injured and in several disease states, is driven by the degradation of the NAD+ synthesizing enzyme NMNAT2. In the published article Protective effects of NAMPT or MAPK inhibitors and NaR on Wallerian degeneration of mammalian axons, the authors explored pharmacological agents to modulate the pathways of NAD+ metabolism and their impact on axonal fragmentation. As part of the study, they wanted to detect NMNAT2 in axonal extracts by regular Western blot (WB) but were unable due to its very low expression and antibody specificity. For this reason, they chose to use the NaveniFlex MR 100 Proximity Ligation Assay from Navinci to amplify the detection signal and increase the specificity.

NaveniFlex is commonly used to study protein expression and protein-protein interactions in situ in cell and tissue staining. Proximity Ligation Assay has several benefits, such as increased sensitivity and specificity that can also be applied in other immune assay applications such as Western Blot. Western blotting with Proximity Ligation has been described in the literature (Mol Cell Proteomics. 2011 Nov; 10(11)), but it is not widely spread. We contacted the first author Athanasios Alexandris to understand more about their choice of this innovative application.

 

How come you thought about using proximity ligation assay for western blot application?

For our study, we wanted to detect and analyze a low abundance protein (NMNAT2) in very small amounts of sample (axon extracts) with WB. However, we found that most antibodies for our target protein produced low or no signal at the expected molecular weight and multiple non-specific bands that were stronger. In addition, due to the nature of the samples, we were not able to increase the amount of material used for WB. Therefore we thought that a way to surpass these challenges would be to combine WB with the same proximity ligation assay technology that is used for tissue staining. Proximity ligation assay can achieve higher specificity as signal is conditional on the binding of two different antibodies (in this case for the same target), and higher sensitivity as the signal is greatly amplified with amplification of the circularized DNA sequence. In practical terms this meant that with proximity ligation assay -WB we were able to eliminate all non-specific bands, and detect a specific band corresponding to our target protein and with great sensitivity that was not possible with traditional methods.

For your specific study of analyzing NMNAT2 in axonal extracts, how did the NaveniFlex kit add value to you and the specific study?

By improving the specificity and sensitivity of our method we were able to assess changes in the expression of our target protein which wouldn’t be practically possible otherwise.

Did you have any previous experience with proximity ligation assay/technology?

We did not have any prior experience.

So how did you hear about Navinci?

We found Navinci after an internet and literature search for sensitive proximity ligation assay technologies that would be suitable for our application. The Navinci kit seemed to offer improved efficiency of signal generation compared to prior technologies.

Will you use proximity ligation assay/NaveniFlex for other WB studies?

Yes! We have already tested this successfully with other challenging proteins.

What is your opinion about Navinci customer support? Anything we can do better?

The help and technical support from Navinci were great. As we were trying this method for the first time, the scientists of Navinci were happy to discuss our needs and offer guidance as well as custom detection reagents that are optimized for WB imaging (i.e. a near-infra red fluorophore instead of Atto488, TEX615, and Atto647N which are used in immunohistochemistry)

Uppsala 15/07-2022

Navinci Diagnostics AB, a Swedish life science company developing innovative tools for spatial proteomics research, announces the closing of a SEK 90 million financing round. The round was led by Segulah Medical Acceleration (”SMA”), a Scandinavia-based life science-focused investment company, together with existing shareholders, including Landegren Gene Technology AB, Nexttobe AB, and Beijer Ventures AB.

Proteins exert the majority of their physiological functions in cells and tissues by undergoing modifications and forming dynamic complexes – effects that cannot be explored by genomics, transcriptomics or conventional immunostaining methods. Navinci advances spatial proteomics by launching high-performance assay kits, based on proprietary in situ Proximity Ligation Assay technology for the analysis of proteins, as well as their interactions and modifications. The technology offer a deeper understanding of proteins and their activity states in normal and diseased cells and tissues, in both academic and industrial research. In particular, Navinci’s technology is an essential tool for detecting immune checkpoints, improving patient stratification and monitoring treatment effects in pharmaceutical research.

Navinci will soon launch the first commercially available assay to accurately detect interaction between the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) and PD1-ligand (PD-L1) checkpoint in tissue samples. This is the first step in building a complete portfolio of assays for immuno-oncology research and drug development. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have provided a substantial breakthrough in cancer immunotherapy, and there are more than 3000 anti-PD1/PD-L1 therapies currently in clinical trials. The main technology currently used to determine whether a patient is likely to benefit from PD1/PD-L1 immunotherapy is PD- L1 immunohistochemistry. However, this test fails to reveal PD1/PD-L1 interactions and has been shown to correlate poorly with patient response to treatment.

Navinci’s technology can enhance understanding of how drugs exert their effects, with the potential to improve clinical trial outcomes and achieve more effective treatments. Navinci also offers flexible solutions (Naveni^TMFlex) which allow scientists to study any protein or protein interaction in tissue or cell samples, with greater accuracy than conventional immunofluorescence or immunohistochemistry.

There is a significant unmet need for diagnostic immuno-oncological methods that can convey important clinical information; hence, the global market potential is large and growing rapidly. With the recent financing, Navinci will accelerate international commercialization and partner with pharma companies, as well as companies with complementary technologies, to offer complete solutions for its customers. Navinci strives to build the largest and most useful portfolio of assays to study protein interplay in immuno-oncology, while also expanding into other research areas.

“I am incredibly excited about what we have accomplished so far, the journey Navinci is now on, and the path we have set for ourselves. I’m proud of the confidence in our technology and in our team that is shown by existing and new owners. With the inclusion of SMA among Navinci’s shareholders, we gain financial resources to realize our ambitious vision of becoming a leader in spatial proteomics. Equally important, we join forces with one of the most vital investors in Scandinavia and gain access to their excellent life science network in Europe and the USA. Our leadership team and the board of directors share SMA ́s vision and core values, and we complement each other in a very positive way. We will now begin expanding our Sales & Marketing and R&D teams with talented and ambitious co-workers who resonate with our company values. Open positions will be announced shortly.” – Robert Gunnarsson, CEO of Navinci Diagnostics AB.

“Segulah Medical Acceleration is pleased to be leading Navinci’s SEK 90 million Series A financing. Navinci, through its Naveni Proximity Ligation technology, is uniquely positioned to be a core part of the spatial biology revolution as it accelerates. The track record of Ulf Landegren and his colleagues – scientific founders of Navinci as well as other successful companies, including Olink Proteomics and Q-Linea – is something that SMA has deep and longstanding admiration for. Together with the Navinci management team, we look forward to providing the resources and guidance to enable the next few steps on what we think will be a long and successful commercial journey.” – Roger Gunnarsson, Managing Partner at SMA.

For questions, please contact Robert Gunnarsson

Email: robert.gunnarsson@navinci.dev.phosdev.se

Phone: +46 (0) 702 921 985

About Navinci

Navinci (formerly known as Olink Bioscience) is a Swedish life science company that develops and markets in situ proximity ligation assays to detect proteins, their interactions, and modifications in tissue and cell samples, with initial focus on immuno-oncology research and drug development. The technology provides an essential tool for studying spatial biology with high specificity and directly reveal responses to disease and drug treatment in tissue microenvironments.

 

About SMA

Segulah Medical Acceleration (“SMA”) is a Scandinavia-based investment company focusing on innovative medical technology companies with global potential. SMA’s objective is to be an active partner and help its portfolio companies accelerate growth and internationalization and reach commercial proof of concept. SMA’s geographic investment remit is focused on Scandinavia and other Western European countries. The areas within Medtech that SMA prioritizes include medical devices and consumables, diagnostics, life science tools, and digital technologies. SMA has more than SEK 1.25 billion (€ 125m equivalent) in investable funds.

www.segulahmedical.com

Uppsala 29/05-2022

Wåhlén et al. have just published the article: Differential impact of lipid raft depletion on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced ERK1/2 MAP-kinase, SRC and AKT signaling – ScienceDirect 

In the study, they analyzed the co-localization of PDGFR-β and GRB2, PI3K or clathrin, using our Naveni Proximity Ligation Technology. Citation: “For this purpose, NaveniFlex MR (Navinci Diagnostics) was used, which is a more efficient version of in situ PLA” 

In the article, they conclude that the different effects of lipid raft disruption on PDGFR-β signaling may provide an opportunity for selective therapeutic targeting of tumor cells.  

Could this data support the possibility that cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as statins may impede tumor growth? 

 

Find the article here: Differential impact of lipid raft depletion on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced ERK1/2 MAP-kinase, SRC and AKT signaling – ScienceDirect 

 

To products

Uppsala 12/04-2022

Navinci is taking the next step to meet the needs of the pathology field. NaveniBright is a new product line with chromogenic readout. The in situ kits are based on our NaveniTM Proximity Ligation Technology and significantly enhance the chromogenic signal, providing you with stronger and more accurate staining. The assay gives you detailed visualization of the protein target with intact cell morphology. 

 

NaveniBright™ enables you to:   

• Detect proteins, protein-protein interactions, and post-translational modifications    
• Study very low abundant protein targets 
• Visualize the protein target with intact cell/tissue morphology   
• Save precious antibodies

To Products

Uppsala 29/10-2021

We are now launching target-specific Naveni in situ proximity ligation assays for phosphorylated receptor tyrosine kinases EGFR, HER2, PDGFR-beta and MET. The assays are based on dual epitope recognition by two primary Navenibodies, that generate an amplified signal when bound in close proximity. This ensures detection of phosphorylated proteins with very high sensitivity and specificity. The assays are adapted to standard histological workflows and can be run without the need for additional equipment. Read more about the products: Naveni pTyr EGFR Naveni pTyr HER2, Naveni pTyr PDGFR-beta, Naveni pTyr MET

Uppsala 05/10-2021

Navinci Diagnostics AB and Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab, have entered a collaboration where the Naveni in situ Proximity Ligation Assay technique will be provided by the SciLifeLab unit Affinity Proteomics Uppsala

”We are delighted to partner with SciLifeLab and the Affinity Proteomics unit in Uppsala, as this allows the NaveniTM in situ proximity ligation assay technology to support the mission of SciLifeLab to enable life science research in Sweden to provide access to the latest key technologies. This collaboration will significantly benefit our academic customers that need help with assay development or sample analysis to support their research on protein interactions or signaling pathways. This is a natural continuation of the long-lasting close collaboration between Uppsala University, SciLifeLab, and Navinci.”
Robert Gunnarsson, CEO Navinci Diagnostics AB

”By implementing Navinci’s innovative products, we will be able to further strengthen our offering of in situ proximity ligation assay services by highly sensitive and reproducible assays. We are happy to continue a local and close relationship with companies with a legacy from Uppsala University.”
Mikael Åberg, Head of Affinity Proteomics Uppsala, SciLifeLab.

Founded upon the research by Ulf Landegren and colleagues at Uppsala University, Navinci (formerly known as Olink Bioscience) is a Swedish life science company that develops and markets in situ proximity ligation assays to monitor proteins, their interactions, and modifications. The technology provides an essential tool for spatial biology and reveals the responses to disease and drug treatment directly in the tissue microenvironment.
SciLifeLab leverages the unique strengths of individual researchers across Sweden into a focused resource for the life science community. SciLifeLab provides access for thousands of researchers to the cutting-edge instrumentation and deep scientific expertise necessary to be internationally competitive in bioscience research. This infrastructure is supported and developed by our research community, including internationally recognized experts in life science and technology. The units and expertise create a unique environment for health and environmental research at the highest level. SciLifeLab started in 2010 as a joint effort between four universities: Karolinska Institutet, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm University, and Uppsala University. Today, they support research activities at all major Swedish universities.

Uppsala 24/9-2021

This innovative test from OncoLab (Austria) identifies cancer cells via p53 prions and is based on the proprietary proximity ligation technology from Navinci. The test kits can be used with tissues, cells, and blood.
This patent-pending new technology from Oncolab allows more reliable identification of circulating tumor cells (CTC). The technology is based on the detection of p53 aggregates (“p53 prions”) using blood-based biopsy tests (BBB) developed by OncoLab. p53 is a well-known tumor suppressor protein and mutations of the gene can cause prion-like aggregation of p53-proteins. OncoLab has developed tests for amplified immuno-labeling of these aggregates using proprietary technology of Navinci Diagnostics AB, a Swedish biotech company specializing in visualizing proteins, their protein-protein interactions and post-translational modifications.

“The p53 mutations can cause misfolding of the p53 protein leading to aggregation”, explains Prof. Zeillinger, CEO of OncoLab. “The misfolded proteins can act prion-like, also causing normal p53 proteins to bind to the aggregates. One of our tests can identify these aggregates in immobilized tissue sections or cells – another one in blood and other bodily fluids, allowing the identification of CTCs and DTCs (disseminated tumor cells) that often contain p53 aggregates.”
More than half of all cancer cells contain Tp53 mutations that may lead to misfolded proteins and aggregation. Identifying those aggregates can significantly improve the reliability of CTC identification as Prof. Zeillinger adds: “Most tests for identifying CTCs are based on detection of epithelial adhesion molecules (EpCAM) or cytokeratins. But not all CTCs express these biomarkers, and they are often downregulated during tumor progression. An additional marker, especially one expressed by a well-known tumor suppressor gene, is a highly desirable addition in the test kit market for CTCs, and we are very pleased to offer this novel assay for p53 prions.”

Besides p53 aggregates, the OncoLab’s CTC test “nPAC™ AMYLOplex™ CTC-p53” also detects known CTC markers (several cytokeratins) as well as leucocyte markers. It is based on immunofluorescence, which allows direct identification of CTCs and provides information about the morphology and numbers of CTCs. Immunofluorescence staining is also used in OncoLab’s “nPAC™ CRC IF” series of tests offered in collaboration with US-based AxonDx, LLC.
Further tests for other aggregated cancer proteins are under development at OncoLab, the first company to offer an extensive range of products for BBB based on either PCR or immunofluorescence. The development of the p53 prion test kits was a joint effort with the Swedish company Navinci that collaborates closely with Uppsala University.

Prof. Ulf Landegren of the Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Molecular Tools, comments: “Over recent years, my group has collaborated with Navinci to develop the necessary technologies for routine identification of aggregated tumor proteins. We are excited to now see the first kits hitting the market – and the potential for further tests is enormous.” Robert Gunnarsson, CEO Navinci Diagnostics AB comments: “As OncoLab has proven, the proximity ligation assay technique is ideal for studying aggregated tumor proteins, and we are thrilled that we together with OncoLab can provide novel tools to enhance the diagnosis of cancer and find better treatments.”

OncoLab brands the entire range of tests for aggregated proteins “AMYLOplex™.” The “AMYLOplex™ p53” test is available for research use (RUO), and a CE-IVD marked version for diagnostic purposes will be released within the following months.
As the first worldwide supplier of CTC test kits based on immunofluorescence and kits based on PCR, and now adding another first by offering the p53 prion test kits, OncoLab is regarded as one of the most innovative companies in the growing CTC/CRC diagnostic market. The complete product range of the company will be presented at the 5th ACTC – Advances in Circulation Tumor Cells meeting, 22nd – 25th of September, Kalamata, Greece.

Uppsala 24/9-2021

”The Naveni^TM product line, which enables our customers to study the interplay of proteins in tissues and cells accurately, complements very well our broad portfolio of antibodies and research reagents. The Navinci team is dedicated to work closely with their customers and continue to innovate the field of spatial biology, which fits perfectly with our way of working.” – Adriano Tonini, COO Lucerna-Chem

“Switzerland is an important market for Navinci and Lucerna-Chem is an excellent organization for us to partner with as they have a strong presence in the region, customer base, and network. We much look forward to working closely with Lucerna-Chem to bring the Naveni^TM proximity ligation assay kits to the Swiss life science research and pharma industry.” – Robert Gunnarsson, CEO Navinci Diagnostics AB.

Uppsala 15/6-2021

”Germany is an important market for Navinci and Biomol is a great organization for us to partner with. They are a highly skilled sales and marketing team that applies modern and forward-thinking methodologies. We look forward to working closely with Biomol to bring the NaveniTM proximity ligation assay kits to the German life science research and industry” says Robert Gunnarsson, CEO Navinci Diagnostics AB.

”With the addition of the NaveniTM product line to our broad portfolio of antibodies and research reagents, we enable our customers to specifically study the interplay of proteins in tissues and cells. Founded on the legacy as the original developer of the in situ proximity ligation assay, the Navinci team is dedicated to engaging with their customers to support and adapt to their needs, which resonates well with our way of doing business”  says Wilco van Hamond, CEO Biomol GmbH.

Uppsala, 7/6-2021

Today we are pleased to announce our collaboration with Cambridge Bioscience to distribute Naveni products in the UK and Ireland!

”We are very pleased to partner with Cambridge Bioscience and their highly skilled sales and marketing team. Their long experience of serving customers in the life science research and industry will catalyze the accessibility of the NaveniTM proximity ligation assay kits in the UK and Ireland market.”
Robert Gunnarsson, CEO Navinci Diagnostics AB

”The Naveni products will be a great complement to our broad portfolio of antibodies and other research reagents, enabling our academic and pharma customers to study the interplay of proteins in tissues and cells. Navinci’s innovative products, combined with their expertise as the original developers of the proximity ligation technology, provides a good foundation for collaboration with our expert sales and support teams. Our aim is always to provide best-in-class solutions and support to our customers.”
Mike Kerins, Managing Director Cambridge Bioscience Limited