Activity-based Sensor Peptides for Direct, High-throughput, and Kinetic Quantitation of Oncogenic Protein Kinases in Unfractionated Cell and Tissue Samples

AssayQuant Technologies has been awarded a highly competitive SBIR Direct Phase II grant to further expand their proprietary PhosphoSens® fluorescence-peptide detection technology. This project aims to develop sensor peptides for 10 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and 10 oncology-associated kinases. These innovations will enable direct kinase activity measurements in complex biological samples, such as cell lysates, using standard laboratory microplate readers. 

The funding supports the development and validation of the PhosphoSens® Lysate product line, which provides a more accessible and efficient solution for kinase and phosphatase research, drug discovery, and inhibitor screening. With its high sensitivity, compatibility with complex samples, and user-friendly platform, the PhosphoSens Lysate technology addresses critical limitations in current kinase assay methods, empowering researchers across academia, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries. 

This milestone demonstrates AssayQuant’s commitment to advancing tools for understanding kinase biology and facilitating targeted drug development. The investigative team, including the inventors of the PhosphoSens technology, was lauded for its expertise, robust commercialization strategy, and alignment with customer needs, as evidenced by an impressive array of support letters from potential users. 

By addressing unmet needs in kinase activity assays, AssayQuant’s innovative approach is poised to make a significant impact on research and drug development for diseases such as cancer, where precision in kinase targeting is crucial. Stay tuned for updates as these advancements unfold and revolutionize kinase research.