pSvida acquisition opens diagnostic pathway

Perth-based nanomaterials specialist pSivida (ASX:PSD) has acquired the rights to use porous silicon mirror technology from German research agency Forschungszentrum Julich.

The company plans to use the technology in combination with its BioSilicon technology to develop diagnostic particles for detection of cancer antigens. pSivida recently secured the rights to develop and commercialise diagnostic applications of BioSilicon from its UK-based subsidiary company pSiMedica.

CEO Gavin Rezos said the acquisition gave pSivida an opportunity to develop its first diagnostic product in what he said was a rapidly growing market. "The ability to have a cheap, efficient and biodegradable device providing both early detection of disease and immediate feedback is very exciting," he said.

BioSilicon mirrors are tiny particles of silicon etched with pores, which makes them very good at reflecting light. The particles are biodegradable, and the rate of breakdown can be precisely controlled.

The company plans to apply antibodies against tumour antigens on the particles, which can then be placed under the skin of a cancer patient. As the cancer antigens build up in the patient and bind to the particles, the reflectivity of light changes. This could then be measured using a hand-held detector, which would fire a low-level laser beam through the skin on to the mirrors to record the amount of reflected light.

pSivida expects to begin testing the concept in animals in 2004.