Here at IMMY we like to make things.  And by “like”, I mean we like it in an obsessive, stalking-its-Facebook-page kind of way.  We are literally obsessed with making things from scratch.

As an example, for our company picnic last summer, we didn’t just go buy a few cases of beer and soda [...]]]>

Here at IMMY we like to make things.  And by “like”, I mean we like it in an obsessive, stalking-its-Facebook-page kind of way.  We are literally obsessed with making things from scratch.

As an example, for our company picnic last summer, we didn’t just go buy a few cases of beer and soda for the day.  Instead, we turned it into a team-building, beer-brewing contest (ginger ale and root beer brewing for the non-drinkers).  This same pattern holds true whether talking about our company vegetable garden or the homemade manufacturing automation equipment that is held together with duct tape and JB-Weld.

Need another example?  One of our owners recently bought a book on beekeeping and has looked into getting a permit from the city for a couple of hives.  Seriously, beekeeping.  I think he is interested in beekeeping because he knows that honey does not organically come prepackaged in a cute little teddy bear squirt bottle.

We also understand that world class diagnostic test kits don’t come prepackaged in unlabeled vials from some faceless overseas contract manufacturer waiting on us to affix a final label and pass it along to our customers.  We make everything that goes into our products from scratch, just like we have for the last 30+ years.  This gives us full control over the quality and delivery of our products, reducing customer complaints and backorders.

So, if you are the type of person who brews their own beer, makes homemade salsa or beef jerky, owns a beekeeper’s suit, or just wants to save lives by developing new diagnostics tools for deadly diseases, send your resume to brandon-neary@immy.com.

We are always looking for people who like to make things.

Cryptococcus is a fungus found worldwide that enters the body through the respiratory system. It causes cryptococcosis in humans, which leads to a rare form of meningitis that can be fatal if untreated. Cryptococcosis is considered an opportunistic infection because it primarily affects those with compromised immune [...]]]> 

Cryptococcus is a fungus found worldwide that enters the body through the respiratory system. It causes cryptococcosis in humans, which leads to a rare form of meningitis that can be fatal if untreated. Cryptococcosis is considered an opportunistic infection because it primarily affects those with compromised immune systems. Patients with HIV/AIDS have seen the brunt of the disease. It is considered a leading cause of HIV-related deaths—over half a million lives each year. In fact, recent studies have suggested that more HIV/AIDS patients in Sub-Saharan Africa die from cryptococcosis than from tuberculosis.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the mortality rate for cryptococcosis is tremendously greater in Sub-Saharan Africa. Therapeutics for the disease are available in this region at little or no cost, thanks to generous donations by large pharmaceutical companies. However, prior to therapy, there must be diagnosis, which is where the problem lies. Current diagnostics for cryptococcosis are effective, but not ideal for developing worlds. The tests require technical expertise, special laboratory equipment, and refrigeration for storage. All of these elements are difficult to come by for a rural clinic in a developing country that likely has unreliable electricity and water.

Typical Laboratory in Tanzania

Fortunately a solution to this problem has been discovered. IMMY has formed a licensing agreement with the University of Nevada, Reno to develop a new, low-cost diagnostic that detects the Cryptococcal Antigen through a dipstick that is almost as easy to run as a home pregnancy test. The new point-of-care diagnostic, named CrAg LFA (Cryptococcal Antigen Lateral Flow Assay), can be stored at room temperature, it does not require special laboratory equipment or specimen pretreatment, and best of all, results can be determined in a matter of minutes.

The process in developing this product with the University of Nevada, Reno was made possible because both entities had the same goal in mind: to save lives. Dr. Tom Kozel of the University of Nevada, Reno developed the antibody to make this diagnostic conceivable. Kozel has been conducting AIDS research for over 25 years, and believes this test can be an immense help in decreasing the number of deaths associated with Cryptococcus.

“A health care provider can give the test, observe the results, and administer the first dose of oral medication, all within a few minutes. If we can diagnose early and begin treatment, we can save an amazing number of lives,” Kozel said.¹

In order to achieve the true potential of this diagnostic, it is imperative that it is made affordable. “One of the stipulations in our agreement for the licensing of the product with IMMY is to have this crucial test available at low-cost. Dr. Sean Bauman, CEO and President of IMMY, had already begun to make this happen on several avenues.” said Ryan Heck, director of the University of Nevada, Reno’s Technology Transfer Office. ¹

¹ http://www.unr.edu/nevadanews/templates/details.aspx?articleid=5695&zoneid=16