SphingoTec to Present Novel Acute Care Biomarkers and Point-of-Care Diagnostic Solutions at Medica 2019
Hennigsdorf, Germany, November 15, 2019
- SphingoTec GmbH (“sphingotec”) today announced that latest advancements in the development of its portfolio of novel biomarkers and diagnostic solutions will be showcased at Medica 2019 in Düsseldorf, Germany. To improve the management of critically ill patients in acute care settings through timely diagnostic, sphingotec has started making available novel biomarkers that complement a broad menu of existing standard of care tests on its Nexus IB10 point-of-care platform.
Sepsis, septic shock, and acute failure of vital organs such as heart and kidney, are diagnostically underserved medical conditions in critical care settings. Based on a deep understanding of the disease biology, sphingotec has developed novel biomarkers to tackle these unmet needs through diagnostic solutions that allow early identification and monitoring of critically ill patients. sphingotec’s near-term pipeline of novel assays on the Nexus IB10 platform includes:
IB10 sphingotest® DPP3 launched in August 2019 is the first CE-IVD point-of-care biomarker test able to quantify DPP3 blood-plasma levels, a novel and unique biomarker for assessing cardio-renal pathway disruptions leading to short-term organ dysfunction 1, 2. DPP3 is at the core of a novel disease mechanism that has a causal role in cardiac and renal dysfunction.
IB10 sphingotest® penKid®, to be launched in early 2020 as a CE-IVD test, is the first point-of-care assay for Proenkephalin, a unique and proprietary biomarker for real-time assessment of kidney function. Previous studies on more than 30,000 critically ill patients admitted to emergency departments (EDs) or intensive care units (ICUs) with congestive heart failure 3 or sepsis 4 demonstrated that Proenkephalin levels change dynamically with the actual kidney function independently from comorbidities or inflammation 5. The biomarker allows monitoring of renal function in real-time and facilitates earlier detection and more precise monitoring of acute kidney injury than the current standard-of-care.
IB10 sphingotest® bio-ADM® to be launched in mid-2020, is a first point-of-care assay for bioactive Adrenomedullin, a unique biomarker for real-time assessment of endothelial function [6]. Data from more than 20,000 patients confirm that measuring bio-ADM® levels adds value to clinical decision making in ICUs and EDs. Increased blood levels of bioactive Adrenomedullin have been demonstrated to precede endothelial dysfunction, vascular leakage subsequent systemic vasodilation and shock in sepsis 7. Furthermore, it has been shown that elevated levels of bioactive Adrenomedullin indicate the loss of endothelial function leading to congestion in heart failure [8]. IB10 sphingotest® bio-ADM® not only supports earlier clinical interventions but also the monitoring of treatment success.
The Nexus IB10 point-of-care technology provides test results on whole blood sample in only 20 minutes and can be flexibly deployed in emergency departments, intensive care units, and any laboratory setting. In addition to the increasing menu of assays for proprietary biomarkers, the platform features a broad menu of 8 rapid tests for acute care settings including parameters such as the Troponin-I, NT-proBNP, and D-Dimer. Following the acquisition of Nexus Dx Inc., San Diego, USA, in 2018 from the Korean manufacturer Samsung, sphingotec markets the Nexus IB10 point-of-care platform through its continuously expanding distribution network.
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Visit sphingotec at Medica 2019
sphingotec showcases its Nexus IB10 instrument and test portfolio as well as its proprietary biomarkers for acute care conditions at Medica 2019 and welcomes healthcare professionals as well as distributors and diagnostics and pharmaceutical industry representatives interested in partnering at its booth G52 in hall 3.
References
[1] Takagi et. al. (2019) Circulating dipeptidyl-peptidase 3 and alteration in hemodynamics in cardiogenic shock: Results from the OptimaCC Trial, European Journal of Heart Failure
[2] Deniau et. al. (2019) Circulating dipeptidyl peptidase-3 is a myocardial depressant factor: DPP3 inhibition rapidly and sustainably improves hemodynamics, European Journal of Heart Failure
[3] Siong Chan (2018) Proenkephalin in heart failure
[4] Hollinger et. al. (2018) Proenkephalin A 119-159 (Penkid) Is an Early Biomarker of Septic Acute Kidney Injury: The Press Release Kidney in Sepsis and Septic Shock (Kid-SSS) Study
[5] Beunders et. al. (2017) Proenkephalin (PENK) as a novel biomarker for kidney function.
[6] Geven et. al. (2018) Geven 2018 Vascular effects of adrenomedullin and the anti-adrenomedullin antibody Adrecizumab in sepsis
[7] Mebazaa et. al. (2018) Circulating adrenomedullin estimates survival and reversibility of organ failure in sepsis: the prospective observational multinational Adrenomedullin and Outcome in Sepsis and Septic Shock-1
(AdrenOSS-1) study
[8] ter Maaten et. al.(2019) Bio-adrenomedullin as a marker of congestion in patients with new-onset and worsening heart failure
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About sphingotec
SphingoTec GmbH (“sphingotec”; Hennigsdorf by 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, such as acute heart failure, circulatory shock, and acute kidney injury in order to support patient management and provide guidance for treatment strategies. sphingotec’s assay portfolio includes sphingotest® bio-ADM® the assay for bioactive adrenomedullin, a unique biomarker for real-time assessment of vascular integrity in conditions like sepsis or congestive heart failure, sphingotest® penKid®, the assay for proenkephalin, a unique biomarker for real-time assessment of kidney function and sphingotest® DPP3, an assay for Dipeptidyl Peptidase 3, a unique biomarker for signaling pathway disruptions leading to acute organ dysfunction. Along with the Nexus IB10 POC platform by its subsidiary Nexus Dx Inc. (San Diego, CA, USA) acquired from Samsung in 2018, sphingotec markets a standard marker portfolio for acute care. In addition, sphingotec developed a portfolio of novel biomarkers, which predict the risks of obesity, breast cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
• 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