DCN Diagnostics and Asahi Kasei Fibers Launch Market Collaboration

(AKFC; Osaka, Japan) will collaborate on a new colored nanoparticle designed to increase sensitivity in rapid assays. The new partnership will be based around AKFC's patented high-performance cellulose nanobead product, NanoAct. NanoAct represents a major step forward in visual labels for use in lateral flow and other rapid assays.

Utilizing cellulose technology matured and advanced for more than 80 years, Asahi Kasei developed patented and innovative colored nanobeads, NanoAct. Using the multicolored nanobeads as labels for lateral flow immunoassays, increased sensitivity, and faster test time is expected. NanoAct also has dispersion stability and does not require surfactants for aggregation control.

Consisting of a range of high intensity colored beads NanoAct can be multiplexed, generate higher sensitivity, lower CV's, and improved stability over many existing visual labels such as colloidal gold. This enables the application of lateral flow assays in demanding field assays for emerging infectious disease, consumer applications, biothreat detection, and biomarker testing.

DCN is a supplier of assay development, training, and consulting services to lateral flow assay developers and manufacturers. The company will be AKFC's distribution partner in North America and will be their preferred provider of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) services to NanoAct users worldwide, except Japan.

"This new product line is a great addition to DCN's existing portfolio of high performance reagents and materials for lateral flow test producers," said DCN's president, Brendan O'Farrell. "This new product line is a great addition to DCN's existing portfolio of high performance reagents and materials for lateral flow test producers."

DCN and AKFC will be showcasing NanoAct at the AACC conference in Houston, Texas (USA), on July 28–August 1, 2013.

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DCN Diagnostics
Asahi Kasei Fibers