Sunbird Platform
Our platform is enabling precision neurology by directly detecting diseased proteins associated with the leading causes of neurological disease.
Sunbird’s diagnostic platform is the only platform capable of directly detecting and quantifying disease-specific proteins that aggregate in the brain from a single blood test.
Our platform runs in an ELISA and APEX sensor format to detect and quantify disease-specific aggregated proteins that are carried by extracellular vesicles through the blood-brain barrier and play a key role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders. These important biomarkers include amyloid beta (Aβ), tau, alpha synuclein (α-synuclein), TDP43, and other protein and non-protein biomarkers.
Sunbird has designed its diagnostic platforms to be readily adaptable, enabling the addition of new biomarkers and disease signatures as advances continue in the understanding of neurological disorders and therapeutic development.
PATENTED PLATFORM TECHNOLOGY
APEX Sensor Array
Wave-length measurement enables quantified results
Sunbird ELISA Assay Format
Test menu runs on standard diagnostic instrumentation
Case in Point
In individuals with dementia, “sticky” Aβ, tau, α-synuclein and/or TDP43 proteins aggregate in the brain, which can disrupt cognitive function. These proteins exist in healthy and unhealthy patients and naturally pass through the blood-brain barrier. Some existing diagnostics can detect the proteins from a blood sample but cannot differentiate between unhealthy and healthy proteins.
Sunbird Bio discovered that proteins that aggregate in the brain preferentially bind to nanoscale extracellular vesicles (EVs) that pass through the blood-brain barrier. Leveraging this discovery, we developed a proprietary method for detecting the presence of EVs and the associated proteins involved in the pathogenesis of dementia including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and ALS.
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Aggregated or “sticky” protein molecules in the brain bind to lipid particles known as extracellular vesicles (EVs).
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Scarce levels of these EVs pass through the blood-brain barrier into the bloodstream.
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Sunbird has the only diagnostic platform that specifically detects low concentrations of these EV-bound biomarkers and their protein cargo.
Clinical data from hundreds of patient samples confirm that our approach provides accurate detection that is comparable to existing gold standards.
