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Petr Kašík
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It was the year 2020, COVID-19 was affecting the Czech Republic, and DIANA Biotechnologies was developing and manufacturing diagnostic PCR tests. These tests require large quantities of oligonucleotides, which are essential reagents for detecting genetic material from viruses. These short DNA or RNA sequences bind to specific sections of the genetic code and enable precise and rapid amplification of target sequences, a key step in PCR diagnostics. At the time, the company's production and development depended on supplies from foreign manufacturers. However, as Jiří Schimer, Head of the Chemistry Department at DIANA Biotechnologies, confirms, the quality and delivery times were far from ideal:
"The purity of the products was not always optimal, and delivery times often did not meet our needs. Our development required extremely complex oligos—branched, modified, with different dyes or other non-standard modifications. We quickly realized that unless we started producing them ourselves, no one would supply them to us."
From Internal Needs to Serving Academic Labs and Companies
Given the rapid development of the biotech sector during the pandemic, there was no time to wait. The company decided to build a chemical laboratory for oligonucleotide synthesis, initially for internal needs only. Today, this has become a fundamental division of the company, essential for the development of all products, whether for diagnostics or academic research.
"We have expertise in chemistry that is truly unique in the Czech Republic. Over time, we began receiving requests from academic laboratories facing the same challenges as we did: specific modified nucleotides are expensive and take a long time to obtain. Customers come to us with projects or ideas and seek advice on how to make them work. This is where we truly excel," adds Jiří Schimer.
What started as an effort to meet internal demand took on a new dimension. With an expanded team, DIANA Biotechnologies now offers services to research labs and companies looking for various oligonucleotide formats—from TaqMan probes to highly complex modifications—even in large quantities.
Jiří Schimer, PhD
Head of Chemistry
Custom Oligonucleotide Synthesis
Thanks to the company’s numerous research and development projects and a team of experts from various fields, DIANA Biotechnologies provides comprehensive customer support.
"We understand who our customers are and the challenges they face. We are happy to help and advise them on oligonucleotide design to maximize their chances of success in their projects," says Schimer.
So, what exactly does the company offer? Primarily highly specific and modified oligonucleotides, whether DNA or RNA, with modifications such as LNA or siRNA. They also provide oligonucleotides labeled with non-standard tags, including dyes and metal complexes. All modifications and adjustments can be discussed directly with the developers. A prime example is molecular beacons—fluorescently labeled oligonucleotides used in advanced diagnostic methods or for studying molecular interactions.
"These types of projects often involve consultations, where we work together with customers to find the best solution," adds Schimer.
Oligonucleotide Calculator: Instant Pricing for Customers
To make the ordering process as simple as possible, DIANA Biotechnologies developed a user-friendly calculator that allows customers to instantly select and design their desired oligonucleotide sequence with the required modifications, get a price estimate, and place an order. If customers are unsure about their specifications, customer support is available to assist.
"The calculator we created is currently the most flexible and user-friendly on the oligonucleotide market," says Schimer. This service is particularly focused on complex modifications. "We are highly competitive in pricing, especially for complex oligonucleotides and larger-scale synthesis. For some modifications, we dare to say that we are truly unique," Schimer adds.
A Personalized Approach to Every Customer
DIANA Biotechnologies prides itself on its individualized approach. "For us, meeting customer needs is not just about synthesizing an oligonucleotide on demand; it's also about assisting with design and, if necessary, advising on data interpretation. We may not gain business today, but we will in a year. We are happy to invest time and energy into consultations because we know that a satisfied customer will return," Schimer concludes.
Media contact:
Petr Kašík
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: +420734513384
About DIANA Biotechnologies
DIANA Biotechnologies, a.s. is a Czech biotechnology company with strong in-house research and development. The company was founded in 2018 with the aim to develop applications of the patented DIANA technology in diagnostics and drug development. However, the company's portfolio is now significantly broader. It is currently targeting global markets in three main areas: 1) development and production of PCR products for diagnostics and life science, 2) development of proprietary original low molecular weight drugs and provision of services to the pharmaceutical sector, and 3) development of antibodies for diagnostics and therapeutics. In the field of molecular diagnostics, the company has become the largest Czech manufacturer of PCR tests for COVID-19 and other viral diseases and is now making its mark abroad thanks to its innovations in PCR diagnostics. The company is built on a team of top scientists with unique expertise in molecular biology, biochemistry, organic and medicinal chemistry, pharmacology and laboratory automation. DIANA Biotechnologies aims to become a multinational biotechnology company developing its own original diagnostics and pharmaceuticals. For more information about the company, please continue to www.dianabiotech.com