We are proud to announce that Saftra Photonics Ltd. was chosen by the Slovak government representatives to officially represent the Slovak republic at the DUBAI 2020 EXPO – Climate and Biodiversity Week.
Safta Photonics Ltd. and PickMolTM Technology will be presented in the Slovak pavilion between the 2nd-9th of October.
We are honored to have been officially nominated for this event.
Watch our presentation video below:
The company has introduced the brand new product design of PickMol RAMASCOPE. The PickMol technology is now represented not only by its unique technology features but also by its unique design. Simplistic approach has resulted in a timeless design language reflecting the core values of the product – reliability, ease-to-use and portability.
Also, a new software for spectra analysis and evaluation was delivered by the SW team of Saftra Photonics. Both innovations clearly differentiate the product in any lab and make it also a perfect choice for a portable solution.
SAFTRA photonics PickMol has completed the procedure for the standardisation of new test method based on plasmonic enhanced Raman scattering for its application in the field of environmental analyses. The validation tasks of new technology were performed according to the “Validation of environmental test methods CEN guide 2013”. The procedure has presented the reliability of particular measurement steps based on the comparative trials performed by validated LCMS technology. The main goal was to to verify the PickMol solution as a legal reference method for high-sensitive screening of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in water samples. Paraquat sample solution was analyzed at the same time by LC-MS and PickMol technology. We have carried out 3 measurements (with 3 different PickMol chips) for every stock and working solution. The measurements were repeated for each “Parallel”. In total, we have detected PQ (of different concentration) on 36 different chips. The “Blank” sample measurements were provided with the use of pure (Milli-Q) water.
Technical report demonstrates the standardisation process of PickMol technology based on the verification by LCMSQTRAP hybrid technology as standard validated method for PoPs analyses in water. PickMol technology is shown as powerful screening tool for ultrafast analyses in the environment. Complete measurement protocol from sampling to data processing is achieved within 10min and real sample analysis time is 2 minutes. The confirmation of target analyte (pollutant) is performed by presence of characteristic Raman bands until sub-nanomolar concentration. Plasmonic-enhanced Raman scattering technology as a reference test method is emerging as very competitive screening method due to its selectivity, sensitivity, speed, robustness and extremely low costs per analysis. Validation report available upon request: roman.oros(at)saftra-photonics.org
As a part of the NanoScreen product strategy, the company has started its active presence on the North American continent. With the kind support of the Slovak-American Foundation the team has participated to two business trips in February 2018. Pavol Miskovsky and Daniel Jancura joined the 62nd Biophysical Society Meeting in San Francisco. Their primary goal was to present NanoScreen technology advancements and build strategic alliance for further research and technical development. They also used the opportunity to meet Marco Leona from scientific research department of the Metropolitan Museum in NY. They discussed common activities in the cultural heritage application of the NanoScreen technology. PITCON2018 – a major analytical chemistry conference and exposition was in focus of Miroslav Konecny. There were couple of NanoScreen related workshops on environmental analytics, new pollutants detection and advances in Raman spectrometry. They all proven the demand for a fast and sensitive solution for reasonable costs, we call it NanoScreen! The exhibition presented several prospective partners in domain of Raman Spectrometry from all over the world discussing the one-box system solution. The company plans to exhibit and showcase the NanoScreen product on the PITCON 2019.
We have done it! Saftra Photonics has become the winner of Startup Awards 2017 – the most reputable competition of early stage businesses in Slovakia. This label of business excellence, coverage by media and prize money of 50k EUR will help us to further develop the NanoScreen product and attract talents for the team. The final presentation took place in Slovak National Theatre opera hall. The company representative Miroslav Konecny has four minutes on the stage to explain the water quality monitoring problem addressed, NanoScreen solution, team behind, market approach, revenue streams, business plan and investment opportunity. The jury was composed by four distinguished investors – Ariel Sella (CAPSELLA), Dan Lupu (EarlyBird Ventures), Martina Sturdikova (JPMorgan Chase) and Ondrej Bartos (Credo Ventures). Their questions were mostly pointed to validation and certification of the technology and the business model. The final event will be broadcasted by Slovak Television RTVS Channel 2 on 17th December at 4PM. The project NanoScreen has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation under grant agreement no 766742.
Saftra Photonics has become the first Slovak company to win SME Instruments Phase II since the start of EC programme Horizon 2020. Project will advance the existing prototype of NanoScreen chip by validation in certified lab and allow the market entry in 2019. Planned project costs of 1.7 mil. EUR will be covered by 70% with the EC funding. The product has already successfully passed the Phase I feasibility study leading to detailed roadmap and advanced business plan of the Disruptive portable device for pre-screening of Persistent Organic Pollutants –POPs- in food products and water. The Phase II project will enable to implement this plan in following 24 months with non-equity financing.
