Portland, Maine (PRWEB) February 10, 2015

Maine Biotechnology Services applied for, and has been awarded a technology seed grant from the Maine Technology Institute for the commercial development of a rapid, point of care test to determine the optimum breeding time for competitive horses. MBS invested expertise and resources into the development of exceptional antibodies for the recognition of equine LH and progesterone. MBS scientists took great care to design and select antibodies and assay formats that would consistently detect both hormones with adequate sensitivity. Through a collaboration with University of Maine in Orono, the prototype assays were used in a small clinical field study to validate the the utility of tracking hormones for improved breeding efficiency.

MBS acquired an MTI seed grant with the intent to integrate the antibodies into a lateral flow, point of care test to measure both equine progesterone and LH as a method of predicting ovulation in breeding mares. The test will fill a significant need in the multi-billion dollar horse industry. Current methods are expensive, invasive, and only results in a successful pregnancy fifty percent of the time. Once refinement of the lateral flow assay is complete, MBS will be seeking appropriate veterinary sales partners to distribute the test worldwide.

About Maine Biotechnology Services: Maine Biotechnology Services is a premier provider of antibody services, from design and development to production and characterization. A wide variety of tools are utilized by MBS to refine clone selection early in a project, and to support prototype assay validation. MBS is able to apply 25 years experience in custom hybridoma projects to the development of antibody product reagents. It is the goal of MBS to maintain a small, internally developed, well supported catalog of antibodies that offer the highest quality performance at low pricing only available at antibody manufacturers.

About Maine Technology Institute: MTI was established by the Maine Legislature to stimulate and support research and development activity leading to the commercialization of new products and services in order to enhance the competitive position of Maine’s technology-intensive industrial sectors, and thereby promote economic development and job creation. MTI’s goal is to contribute to the long-term development of a statewide research, development, and product deployment infrastructure, thereby enhancing the competitive position of Maine’s technology intensive industries, while supporting clusters of industrial activity and creating jobs for Maine people. The MTI Seed Grant is targeted to stimulate the commercialization of a new innovative product, process or service.






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