SphingoTec and Rivaara Labs Close Exclusive Distribution Agreement for Point of Care Diagnostics in India
• The collaboration focuses on SphingoTec’s near patient diagnostic solution for critical care settings.
• Rivaara gains exclusive rights to market and distribute the Nexus IB10 platform and its rapid tests for innovative biomarkers and commonly used parameters in the Indian subcontinent.
• The Nexus IB10 technology is a “hand-held laboratory” providing fast and reliable diagnostics to support the management of critically ill patients.
• Rivaara gains exclusive rights to market and distribute the Nexus IB10 platform and its rapid tests for innovative biomarkers and commonly used parameters in the Indian subcontinent.
• The Nexus IB10 technology is a “hand-held laboratory” providing fast and reliable diagnostics to support the management of critically ill patients.
Hennigsdorf, Germany and Mumbai, India, March 17, 2022 -
The diagnostic company SphingoTec GmbH (SphingoTec) and Rivaara Labs Pvt Ltd. (Rivaara) today announced that they have entered into a multi-year distribution agreement for the commercialization of SphingoTec’s point of care diagnostic solutions in the Indian subcontinent. The Nexus IB10 analyzer and its portfolio of rapid tests allow convenient assessment of biomarkers relevant in critical care conditions such as sepsis, acute kidney injury, cardiogenic shock, acute heart failure, and myocardial infarction.
Under the terms of the agreement, Rivaara will have the exclusive right to market and distribute SphingoTec’s point of care tests for innovative biomarkers in the Indian subcontinent. This includes the biomarkers proenkephalin (penKid) for the assessment of kidney function (1), bioactive adrenomedullin (bio-ADM) for the assessment of endothelial function (2), and dipeptidyl peptidase 3 (DPP3) a biomarker for cardiac depression (3). The innovative markers are complemented by commonly used parameters such as procalcitonin, troponin, D-dimer, NT-proBNP, and TSH. The biomarkers are made available as rapid tests on the Nexus IB10 bedside technology, a fully automated immunoassay point-of-care instrument, which provides accurate test results within only 20 minutes from whole blood samples. The Nexus IB10 analyzer and its test portfolio can be flexibly deployed in a variety of point of care settings, including emergency departments, intensive care units, and laboratories.
Dr. Angelo Moesslang, Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of SphingoTec, said, “This distribution agreement is an important step in making our near-patient diagnostics globally available. A point of care solution for acute and critical cases can enable healthcare organizations to maximize diagnostic resources and help clinicians make more informed decisions.”
Mr. Shyamakant Giri, Chief Executive Officer of Rivaara said, “Adding the point of care platform and its rapid tests to our portfolio is increasing the settings in which we facilitate integrated diagnostic testing in the patient-care pathway. Not only are we able to provide well established tests used on a daily basis, but we can also enable access to innovative biomarkers, which address unmet needs in disease areas such as acute kidney injury and sepsis.”
To discover more about the Nexus IB10 and SphingoTec’s portfolio of diagnostic solutions for acute and critical care, please visit www.sphingotec.com. For more information on the Rivaara Labs portfolio, please visit www.rivaaralabs.com
References:
1. Beunders et. al. Proenkephalin (PENK) as a Novel Biomarker for Kidney Function, The Journal of Applied Laboratory Medicine, Volume 2, Issue 3, 1 November 2017, Pages 400–412, doi: https://doi.org/10.1373/jalm.2017.023598
2. Geven et. al. Vascular Effects of Adrenomedullin and the Anti-Adrenomedullin Antibody Adrecizumab in Sepsis, SHOCK: August 2018 - Volume 50 - Issue 2 - p 132-140 doi: 10.1097/SHK.0000000000001103
3. Boorsma et. al. Dipeptidyl peptidase 3, a marker of the antagonist pathway of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in patients with heart failure. Eur J Heart Fail. 2021 Jun;23(6):947-953. doi: 10.1002/ejhf.2158.
About SphingoTec
SphingoTec GmbH ("SphingoTec"; Hennigsdorf near Berlin, Germany) develops and markets innovative in vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests for novel and proprietary biomarkers for the diagnosis, prediction and monitoring of acute medical conditions. SphingoTec's proprietary biomarker portfolio includes bioactive Adrenomedullin (bio-ADM), a biomarker for real-time assessment of endothelial function in conditions like sepsis, and Proenkephalin (penKid), a biomarker for real-time assessment of kidney function. Dipeptidyl Peptidase 3 (DPP3), a biomarker for cardiac depression was in-licensed from 4TEEN4 Pharmaceuticals GmbH (www.4teen4.de). IVD tests for SphingoTec’s biomarkers are made available as sphingotest® microtiter plate tests as well as point-of-care tests on the Nexus IB10 immunoassay platform by SphingoTec’s subsidiary Nexus Dx Inc. (San Diego, CA, USA). The Nexus IB10 portfolio is complemented by established and commonly used biomarker tests for acute and critical care such as PCT, Troponin, NT-proBNP, D-Dimer, TSH and others.
About Rivaara Labs
Rivaara Labs Pvt Ltd. (“Rivaara”, Mumbai, India) is harnessing the power of Molecular diagnostics to bring disruptive, affordable, and innovative need-based diagnostic solutions to India. With an extensive range of test services, Rivaara offers sample-to-answer qualified solutions based on a broad portfolio of automated RT-PCR, IT connectivity, superior analysis, and LIMS interface with actionable clinical reports across infectious diseases, oncology, antibiotic resistance, pathogen detection, inherited disease testing and precision medicine. The solutions address a significant unmet medical need for timely, actionable information that addresses the challenges of the current standard of care for diagnosing and monitoring the diseases. The aim is to develop a strong network of specialized Molecular Diagnostics labs, market novel point of care solutions and build a best-in-class national reference lab. Apart from the investment in infrastructure, Rivaara also invests in highly inspired and motivated human capital within the organization.
Media contact SphingoTec:
Ruxandra Lenz
Sr. Manager Marketing and Communications
SphingoTec GmbH
Neuendorfstr. 15 A
16761 Hennigsdorf
• PenKid surpasses serum creatinine on Day 1 post-transplant in detecting delayed graft function (DGF), with an AUROC of 0.87 versus 0.56 for creatinine. • PenKid differentiates slow graft function (SGF) from DGF up to 8 days earlier than current methods, supporting more timely clinical decisions. • PenKid levels remain unaffected by kidney replacement therapy (KRT), allowing for more accurate assessment of kidney function. • Independent validation in transplant cohort from Australia confirms performance and broad applicability. Hennigsdorf/Berlin, Germany, July 1, 2025 - Diagnostic company SphingoTec GmbH (“SphingoTec”) announces a landmark study (1) published in Transplant International, led by Heidelberg University Hospital in Germany in collaboration with researchers from Sydney, Australia, which identifies Proenkephalin A 119-159 (penKid) as a reliable biomarker for early and precise assessment of graft function trajectories following kidney transplantation. The research demonstrates that PenKid not only identifies patients at risk for DGF significantly earlier than traditional markers but also distinguishes between slow and delayed graft function with remarkable accuracy, offering clinicians a valuable new tool for patient management. The study prospectively evaluated 159 consecutive kidney transplant recipients at Heidelberg University Hospital and validated findings in an independent cohort from Sydney. PenKid consistently outperformed serum creatinine (SCr) in predicting graft function trajectories, particularly in the critical early post-transplant period. Notably, PenKid’s ability to remain unaffected by KRT—a treatment for severe kidney dysfunction—further sets it apart from SCr, which can be influenced by non-renal factors and KRT itself, thereby enhancing the reliability of graft function assessment. Multivariate analysis confirmed PenKid as the strongest independent predictor of both short-term graft function and 30-day outcomes, underscoring its clinical utility for early risk stratification. The biomarker’s superior granularity allows for nuanced classification of DGF severity, supporting more informed decisions regarding the initiation of dialysis or biopsy and offering potential for individualized patient care. With these findings, penKid steps forward as a practical addition to the transplant clinician’s toolkit, promising to sharpen decision-making for optimal outcomes. Its adoption could help transplant teams act with greater confidence and precision, ultimately strengthening the standard of care in kidney transplantation. ## References 1. Benning L et al. (2025) Proenkephalin A 119-159 in Kidney Transplantation: A Novel Biomarker for Superior Tracking of Graft Function Trajectories. Transpl. Int. 38:14366. doi: 10.3389/ti.2025.14366 About SphingoTec SphingoTec GmbH ("SphingoTec"; Hennigsdorf near Berlin, Germany) is a biomarker company focusing on the out-licensing of innovative critical care solutions for diagnosing, predicting, and monitoring acute medical conditions. SphingoTec develops its biomarkers to the commercial stage and partners with IVD companies to make them available on different IVD platforms. SphingoTec's proprietary biomarker portfolio includes Proenkephalin A 119-159 (penKid), a biomarker for the assessment of kidney function in critical diseases, commercially available on diagnostic platforms AFIAS and Nexus IB10 and bioactive Adrenomedullin 1-52 (bio-ADM), a biomarker for the assessment of endothelial function in conditions like sepsis. Discover more on www.sphingotec.com Contact : Ruxandra Lenz Marketing and Communication SphingoTec GmbH Phone +49-3302-20565-0 Email: press@sphingotec.com
• Boditech Med and SphingoTec announce the launch of the AFIAS sphingotest® penKid® assay, a diagnostic tool designed to aid in kidney function assessment for critically ill patients. • The IVDR-marked assay provides quantitative measurements of Proenkephalin A 119-159 (penKid), supporting clinical decision-making in acute and critical care. • This launch follows a licensing agreement granting Boditech the rights to develop and commercialize penKid-based assays, as well as a market development agreement between the two companies. Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea, and Hennigsdorf/Berlin, Germany, May 6, 2025 - Boditech Med Inc. (“Boditech”) and SphingoTec GmbH (“SphingoTec”) today announced the commercial launch of the AFIAS sphingotest® penKid® assay. The assay is designed to provide clinicians with a tool for assessing kidney function in critically ill patients by measuring Proenkephalin A 119-159 (penKid), a biomarker that reflects real-time kidney function independently of inflammation or comorbidities. The AFIAS sphingotest® penKid® assay is IVDR-marked for its intended use as an automated fluorescence immunoassay for the in vitro diagnostic quantitative determination of Proenkephalin A 119-159 in human whole blood/plasma, serving as an aid in the diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) in adult patients with sepsis or septic shock. It provides additional information to support clinical decision-making in managing critically ill patients at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). This launch is the result of a strategic collaboration between Boditech and SphingoTec, including a licensing agreement granting Boditech the rights to develop and commercialize penKid-based assays on its diagnostic platforms, as well as a market development agreement aimed at accelerating global commercialization efforts. Eui-Yul Choi, CEO of Boditech Med, commented: “We are proud to introduce the AFIAS sphingotest® penKid® assay to clinicians worldwide. This launch reflects our commitment to delivering innovative diagnostic solutions that address critical needs in healthcare. Our collaboration with SphingoTec has been instrumental in bringing this important tool to market.” Deborah Bergmann, CEO of SphingoTec, added: “The launch of AFIAS sphingotest® penKid® demonstrates how partnerships can drive innovation and improve access to advanced diagnostics. By combining our biomarker expertise with Boditech’s diagnostic capabilities, we are reaching a new chapter in our collaboration. We are streamlining our processes to support the business of our license partners and further expand our global reach. This enables us to provide clinicians with essential tools to enhance patient care.” Scientific insights on penKid PenKid is a biomarker that enables real-time assessment of kidney function (1). Unlike traditional markers such as serum creatinine, penKid levels are not influenced by inflammation or other confounding factors like age or sex (1,2,3). Studies have shown that penKid allows earlier detection of acute kidney injury (AKI), predicting changes in serum creatinine up to 48 hours before conventional diagnostic criteria are met (1,3). This early detection capability is particularly valuable in critically ill patients, including those with sepsis or septic shock (1,3,4). Additionally, penKid has shown potential for monitoring renal recovery under dialysis and could help predict successful weaning from renal replacement therapy (5,6). ## References 1. Hollinger A, et.al. Proenkephalin A 119-159 (Penkid) Is an Early Biomarker of Septic Acute Kidney Injury: The Kidney in Sepsis and Septic Shock (Kid-SSS) Study. Kidney Int Rep. 2018 Aug 22;3(6):1424-1433. doi: 10.1016/j.ekir.2018.08.006. 2. Beunders et al. Assessing GFR With Proenkephalin, Kidney International Reports, 2023, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ekir.2023.08.006 3. Caironi et al., Circulating proenkephalin, acute kidney injury, and its improvement in patients with severe sepsis or shock. Clin Chem (2018) DOI:10.1373/clinchem.2018.288068 4. Moledina DG. Penkid: A Novel Biomarker of Reduced GFR in Sepsis. Kidney Int Rep. 2018 Nov 15;4(1):17-19. doi: 10.1016/j.ekir.2018.11.002. 5. von Groote T et al. Proenkephalin A 119–159 predicts early and successful liberation from renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury: a post hoc analysis of the ELAIN trial. Crit Care 26, 333 (2022). doi.org/10.1186/s13054-022-04217-4 6. von Groote T, et al. Evaluation of Proenkephalin A 119-159 for liberation from renal replacement therapy: an external, multicenter pilot study in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury. Crit Care. 2023 Jul 10;27(1):276. doi: 10.1186/s13054-023-04556-w. About Boditech Boditech Med (based in Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea) is a leading company in the field of point-of-care diagnostics, which has accumulated 25 years of business expertise in the field. The company has more than 80 types of in vitro diagnostic products that detect biomarkers related to infectious diseases, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and hormone-related diseases with its immunofluorescence lateral flow technology, quantitative immunofluorescence technology and spectrophotometric technology. And the list continues to grow with new high-value-added products. With its instrument platform installed in more than 120 countries, the company also has a stable revenue model. The company is currently strengthening its value as a global company by expanding its manufacturing bases in the US, China, India, and Indonesia. About SphingoTec SphingoTec GmbH ("SphingoTec"; Hennigsdorf near Berlin, Germany) is a diagnostic company focusing on the out-licensing of innovative critical care biomarkers for diagnosing, predicting, and monitoring acute medical conditions. SphingoTec develops its biomarkers to the commercial stage and partners with IVD companies to make them available on different IVD platforms. SphingoTec's proprietary biomarker portfolio includes Proenkephalin A 119-159 (penKid), a biomarker for the assessment of kidney function in critical diseases, commercially available on diagnostic platforms AFIAS and Nexus IB10 and bioactive Adrenomedullin 1-52 (bio-ADM), a biomarker for the assessment of endothelial function in conditions like sepsis. Discover more on www.sphingotec.com Contact: Ruxandra Lenz Head of Marketing and Communication SphingoTec GmbH Phone +49-3302-20565-0 Email: press@sphingotec.com