BioPen Will Demonstrate a ”Pen” for the Detection of Toxins, Virus and Bacteria in Fluids at ”BioMed 2006”

One of the problems facing people traveling outdoors is that they may wish or need to drink water from an unsafe source. BioPen company in Ben-Gurion University of the Negev developed a new device that should solve that age old dilemma. It looks like your average pen but it can monitor, detect and identify unwanted elements in various fluids. BioPen will demonstrate the new technology at “BioMed 2006″ which will be held in the ICC Jerusalem International Convention Center from May 29-31, 2006.

BioPen’s electro-optics is contained in the pen’s tip. This tip holds fiber probes that are ultra-sensitive and can detect virtually any foreign element. “The pen is an all-Inclusive diagnostic device,” says Prof. Robert Marks of the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev. “It can test any fluid, from plain water to biological fluids, blood and urine samples, all the way to detecting toxins, virus or bacteria in body fluids or environmental contamination.”

The pen performs the testing automatically and within 20 minutes displays a digital readout of the result on a small LCD. Collected data may be transmitted to a PC for storage and backup, as well as for further analysis. The product, which is now in its early stages of development, will be reasonably priced.

“Our key customers will be hospitals and healthcare services, but also people going on camping trips and wishing to know whether the water they come across are drinkable,” says Prof. Marks.

Established: 2005

Core business: Medical Devices

Funding: BG Negev Technologies and Applications invested $200,000

Phase: Seeking strategic partners to complete development

The “BioMed 2006″ week is the main event of the life sciences industry in Israel. This year it will be held (for the fifth consecutive year) in the ICC Jerusalem International Convention Center from May 29-31. Some 150 keynote speakers and presenters from Israel and abroad will discuss issues and developments in various subjects such as cardiology, orthopedics, medical devices and the future of healthcare. A special forum will deal with the issue of fund raising in the different industries. Co-Chairmen: Aharon Schwartz of Teva Pharmaceuticals and Rafi Hofstein of Hadasit.

Organized by: Kenes Exhibitions.

Conference website: http://www.kenes.com/biomed/index.asp