Next-Gen Products

Along with nucleic acids and proteins, carbohydrates are essential molecular building blocks in all organisms. Carbohydrates (also called as glycans) are universally present on every cell and are essential for cell-cell communication. This critical role has allowed glycans to be important in many applications in biomedical sciences, material sciences, as well as in industries.

Some of the major applications of glycans and glycoproteins include, biopharmaceuticals, biomarker and diagnostic industries as well dairy and food industries. Glycan are also being used as natural and synthetic biomimics for preventative and/or therapeutic applications for chronic diseases, immunological disorders and for infectious diseases. Glycan based biomaterials are emerging as a novel class of designer molecules with broad range of applications for on-body and in-body applications.

Concerns are growing about the likelihood of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) attacks in conflict zones and across civilian and urbancentres. The threat posed to military personnel, civilians and the environmentis severe and current. In response to the evolving threats posed by violent state and non-state actors, the primary tactical countermeasure has been early warning and surveillance systems. The long-standing weakness in the application of biomonitoring systems is a lack of EFFECTIVE SAMPLINGTECHNOLOGY.
Critical criteria for such technologyincludes the effective capture, collection and enrichment of samples with minimal background noise to allow responsive detection and identification of biothreat agents.
Applying Pathogen Capture Technology (PCT), Aquila Biosciences’ proprietary technology has been adapted to allow;
(i) improved sampling capabilities
(ii) selective and discriminatory enrichment for known biothreat agents
(iii) significant reduction in background noise
(iv) greater sample integrity and storageand
(v) compatibility with existing detection systems.

To achieve this, ABL has developed a bio-enhanced membrane technology system incorporating highly specific glyco-molecules which selectively capture and enrich specific biothreats (pathogens and toxins). This unique membrane capture technology can be easily integrated into existing commercial detection systems, resulting in highly sensitive detection, the reduction of false reporting, and greater representative sampling.
This application significantly enhances current biological sampling methodologies leading to improved detection reliability in a multi-purpose capture device. The technology is particularly useful where extremely sensitive down-steam identification using existing standard detection and identification protocols are used. This is a major step forward in biological sampling for air, surfaces, and water, giving improved detection performance without the need to replace existing equipment or develop new technical expertise.

Medical countermeasures (MCMs) are medicines and medical supplies that can be used to diagnose, prevent, or treat diseases related to chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) threats. MCMs can include biological products (e.g. vaccines, blood products, and antibodies), drugs (antimicrobial or antivirals), or devices (e.g. diagnostic tests to identify threat agents and personal protective equipment).

Aquila Bioscience has worked with Civil and military agencies (CIV-MIL) to develop capabilities around MCM. Focusing on our proprietary and innovative technology, PCT is an ideal choice in the control of a wide range of biopathogens that first responders and defence organisations anticipate in crises situations. Through our close interactions with global CIV-MIL organisations, our team has developed extensive capabilities in preparedness and CBRN countermeasures in the field which informs and drives our R&D, modeling through data science and data intelligence, pilot-scale manufacturing, regulatory and quality management, sales and marketing, and customer sector analysis.

Moreover, Aquila’s PCT technology lends itself to monitoring and forensic analysis of biopathogens which can protect serious injury and life in advance of any direct action taken by first responders.

Aquila Bioscience brings both experience and technology in emergency preparedness to manage critical situations involving biopathogens in populated and hostile environments. Specifically, Aquila Bioscience has developed a strategic understanding of CBRN incidents, whether natural disasters or marauding terrorist attacks, and capabilities for biothreat characterization, threat assessment, forensic analysis and solutions, and responses to critical situations together with an extensive network of experts in Europe, North America and beyond.

Aquila Bioscience is developing revolutionary technology for pathogen management with support from the European Defence Agency and European Innovation Council funding. With the advent of SARS-CoV-2, Aquila Bioscience responded rapidly by developing manufacturing processes to bring forth its pilot products to protect the front-line professionals from SARS-CoV-2. Aquila Bioscience has used its unique pathogen capture technology which is safe on skin and sensitive surfaces, effective in removing all pathogens and is environmentally safe, to develop ABD (AntiBioAgent Decontamination) device and ProShield Spray. These are the first products of their kind to combat SARS-CoV-2 and other infectious agents and are inspired by how nature has protected us for millennia.

Nature has evolved elegant ways to keep us safe from a number of germs which is why despite being surrounded by bacteria, fungi and viruses, we don’t have multiple infections every day. Inspired by nature’s mechanism for germ attachment to their hosts (often us!), scientists at Aquila Bioscience at National University of Ireland, have developed a technology that can remove germs from the skin in a safe, effective and environmentally friendly manner. Aquila’s technology was originally developed in collaboration with the Irish Defence Forces to protect front-line professionals from potential biothreat agents (such as anthrax and ricin) in case of skin exposure. With funding from the European Union, Aquila Bioscience has developed the technology that is capable of safely removing bacteria, fungus and viruses from skin without using any harmful chemicals and instead it uses natural proteins and carbohydrates that are designed to bind and remove the germs. The technology has been tested on a number of pathogens including Cutibacterium acnes (acne), Candida albicans (thrush) and Malassezia furfur (dandruff). Because of its unique mode of action, Aquila Bioscience’s technology is ideal for skin care of all age groups to keep their skin healthy and safe from harmful pathogens such as bacteria and fungi that cause damage to skin and lead to inflammation and skin diseases.

The delivery of countermeasures to sites of need is critically important to first responders and defence organisations. PCT is a robust technology that lends itself well to the concept of distributed mobile manufacturing. This provides a solution to logistical issues, including the transportation challenges of Medical Counter Measures (MCMs), which are synonymous with crises and pandemics.  Aquila Bioscience is investigating the potential of digital distribution of PCT, which may be tailored to the relevant biopathogen, or chemo pathogen required urgently in hostile or challenging environments. Advancing this technology, Aquila Bioscience has the capacity to deliver our highly effective product in a timely manner to support first-line responders and defence personnel on the ground. Moreover, the infrastructure could also be applied to other MCMs where necessary.