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Arcis Biotechnology

Sector:
MedTech
Invested in:
Calculus EISs, Calculus VCT

Arcis Biotechnology is a technology led company with expertise in the development and commercialisation of fast and simple sample preparation techniques.

Arcis provides highly advanced sample preparation technology which is seeking to improve Molecular Diagnostics testing. Arcis’ technology allows the extraction of DNA and RNA from various sample types (human, animal, plant or pathogen) in under three minutes, which is significantly faster than the current laboratory standards. Unlike competitor products or processes, Arcis’ chemistry also protects the extracted nucleic acid from degradation; this preservation technique is novel and highly beneficial, particularly for RNA which is inherently fragile.

Arcis has two DNA extraction products which have undergone significant external validation, they are CE-IVD marked (an EU certification for in-vitro diagnostic use) and were launched in late 2017. Arcis has signed its first licence agreement with Teleflex Inc. (NYSE, market cap. >$10bn) to develop a bedside sepsis test (where speed of diagnosis drives better patient outcomes) and initial progress of their trials is positive. Funds will be used to further develop their licencing pipeline and to support their distributor network for product sales.

Arcis’ RNA products are at an earlier stage of development but have very exciting potential. RNA biomarkers can be an early warning signal that a cell is mutating and turning cancerous, they are very difficult to detect because of RNA’s fragility. Arcis has proven that its technology can stabilise RNA biomarkers for prostate cancer in urine. Preserving RNA in this way enables earlier and more accurate cancer detection.

Rationale

Calculus invested in Arcis Biotechnology due to their impressive suite of technologies and the wide range of applications for them.

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Latest News

Arcis Biotechnology and Opentrons Sign Distribution Agreement

Arcis Biotechnology (“Arcis”), the nucleic acid sample preparation solution provider, today announced it has signed a commercial distribution agreement with Opentrons, the developer of affordable pipetting robots. The agreement allows Opentrons to directly distribute Arcis’ sample preparation kits to laboratories globally, providing scientists with a complete, accessible and automated solution for high throughput RNA/DNA preservation … Continued

Prime Minister meets with Calculus investee company, Arcis Biotechnology

Calculus Capital has welcomed the government’s pledge to boost Britain’s expanding life sciences and technology industries after the Prime Minister met the Chief Scientist behind one of its investee companies during a landmark visit to the North West. Theresa May used the visit to the Northern Powerhouse, where she held her first Cabinet meeting outside … Continued

Arcis launches easy-to-use DNA extraction blood kit

The Liverpool Echo cover Arcis Biotechnology’s latest development: A Daresbury bio-tech firm has announced the launch of a kit for preparing DNA extracted from blood. Arcis Biotechnology said the process takes three minutes and uses a novel two-step system sold in a ready-to-use format. A spokesman for the company said it enables users to stabilise … Continued

Calculus Capital invests in Arcis Biotechnology

Calculus Capital announces today that it has invested £1.25m in Arcis. This investment is part of a larger fundraising of £1.7m and follows previous investments in Arcis totalling £2m made in May 2012 and June 2013. Based in Cheshire, Arcis develops patented compounds and technologies. It then commercialises these novel technologies and application methods to … Continued

Calculus Capital goes for the double

Calculus Capital has notched up two deals, investing £1.25m in R&D company Arcis and £2.5m in WheelRight, a tyre monitoring company. Arcis develops patented compounds and technologies related to DNA extraction and molecular diagnostics, and pesticides used for agriculture. It then licenses these products to commercial partners. WheelRight, whose client list includes Stagecoach, sells remote … Continued