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Company
Portfolio Data
Back to Company SearchPinnacle Technology, Inc.
UEI: V6SXZL55NMZ9
Number of Employees: 24
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: Yes
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
SBIR/STTR Involvement
Year of first award: 1996
23
Phase I Awards
15
Phase II Awards
65.22%
Conversion Rate
$4,353,813
Phase I Dollars
$12,530,998
Phase II Dollars
$16,884,811
Total Awarded
Awards
Functionalized Multi-Modal Tetrode Arrays for Real-Time, Site-Specific Neurochemical Monitoring
Amount: $289,837 Topic: 101
ABSTRACT The goal of this proposal is to develop a multimodal, multianalyte sensor system including wired and wireless electronics and software. This new suite of tools will enable simultaneous recording of amperometric sensors (glutamate, glucose, lactate, choline, and/or oxygen), electrophysiology, and fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (biogenic amines) in conscious, freely moving rodents. The proposed array and measurement system will enable the synchronous measurement of chemical and electrical conditions in the rodent brain. This suite will include new instrumentation and software for simultaneous, synchronized data collection and a novel functionalized tetrode array that will enable the recording of multiple modalities and analytes at a single location in the brain. An ideal multi-modal sensor would support a wide variety of measurements in a minimal volume, with no chemical or electrical crosstalk and without altering the local environment of the sensor, while allowing long- term, quantifiable, high spatial and temporal resolution, measurements of only the analytes/phenomena of interest. In practice, all measurement modalities are limited, but by combining multiple modalities in a single, configurable probe, researchers can leverage the strengths of the individual techniques to best suit the experiment at hand. The Brain-2025 Report (https://braininitiative.nih.gov/strategic-planning/brain-2025-report) states: “Our charge is to understand the circuits and patterns of neural activity that give rise to mental experience and behavior. To achieve this goal for any circuit requires an integrated view of its component cell types, their local and long‐range synaptic connections, their electrical and chemical activity over time, and the functional consequences of that activity at the levels of circuits, the brain, and behavior. Combining these elements is at present immensely difficult even for one circuit, yet we must also weave together the many interlocking circuits in a single brain. As the President said in his White House press conference, this is indeed a “grand challenge for the 21st century.” The proposed functionalized tetrode array, instrumentation, and support software will give researchers the experimental flexibility required to pursue these goals while ensuring experimental consistency (mechanical design), data quality (electronics design), experimental flexibility (software design), maximizing overall reproducibility while minimizing rodent use.
Tagged as:
SBIR
Phase I
2023
HHS
NIH
Commercialization of Enzyme Modified Carbon-Fiber Electrodes Paired with Voltammetry for Simultaneous Real-Time Monitoring of Electroactive and Non-Electroactive Species at Discrete Brain Locations
Amount: $1,814,448 Topic: 101
ABSTRACT Commercially available, real-time molecular monitoring technologies are designed to selectively measure only one molecule at a time at a given recording site. This is a problem because chemical signals in the brain do not work in isolation; rather, neurotransmission involves many chemical species simultaneously working to modulate neural circuits. Quantitative analysis of these neurochemical signals is a critical first step when developing therapeutic strategies to treat neurological/psychological disorders, but little is known about how specific neurochemicals fluctuate relative to one another. The Sombers Lab has established the feasibility of using fast- scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) and carbon-fiber microelectrodes for the real-time detection of dopamine fluctuations while simultaneously detecting non-electroactive species, such as glucose and lactate, at the same recording site. The microbiosensors have higher spatial and temporal resolution than currently available technologies, minimal analyte consumption, and they can be easily integrated into existing protocols. During Phase I, a 7-um probe was developed and commercialized that can simultaneously measure dopamine and glucose in real time, at single micron-scale recording sites in vivo. A software suite and FSCV tutorials were developed. In Phase II, we will develop and commercialize 7-um dopamine/lactate, dopamine/glutamate, and serotonin/glucose sensors. We will develop additional tutorials to simplify access to this important technology, and we will continue to develop software and electronics. Overall, this project is innovative, because it departs from the status quo by utilizing the redox activity inherent to enzymatically generated H2O2 to identify targeted non-electroactive species, even in the presence of electroactive molecules that are typically excluded as interferents. It is significant, because it combines two state-of-the-art and well-characterized technologies for neurochemical monitoring in a clever, straightforward, and unprecedented manner. Ultimately, this project will provide the community with a sensor suite that can be used to study the interplay of a range of critical analytes in complex physiological processes ranging from basic endocrine function to motivation. It promises to have a transformative effect on neuroscience by allowing researchers interested in diverse aspects of brain function to better understand how these specific neurochemicals co-fluctuate in discrete brain locations.
Tagged as:
SBIR
Phase II
2022
HHS
NIH
Commercialization of Enzyme Modified Carbon-Fiber Electrodes Paired with Voltammetry for Simultaneous Real-Time Monitoring of Electroactive and Non-Electroactive Species at Discrete Brain Locations
Amount: $895,243 Topic: 101
ABSTRACT Commercially available biosensors are designed to measure only one molecule at a time at a given recording site. This is a problem because chemical signals in the brain do not work in isolation; rather, neurotransmission involves many chemical species simultaneously released and little is known about how specific neurochemicals fluctuate relative to one another. Understanding these relationships is critical to the development of drugs and treatments for a wide range of neurological disorders. The Sombers Lab has established the feasibility of using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) and carbon-fiber microelectrodes for the simultaneous detection of rapid dopamine fluctuations and those of non-electroactive species, such as glucose, at the same recording site. This is done with higher spatial and temporal resolution than currently available methods. The goal of this Lab to Marketplace: Tools for Brain and Behavioral Research SBIR is to translate and commercialize the technology developed by the Sombers team at North Carolina State University. The first goal is to transfer the core technology for the co-detection of dopamine and glucose from the Sombers laboratory to Pinnacle Technology, a company that has developed, manufactured and sold biosensors and electrochemical measurement systems worldwide. Pinnacle-produced sensors will be fully characterized and detailed specifications for the technology (sensitivity, linear range, shelf-life and benchmarks for in vivo performance) will be outlined. The second goal is to develop training tools and software to minimize the learning curve associated with the proper implementation, characterization and analysis of FSCV in research or pre-clinical applications. This will be accomplished by modifying existing Pinnacle software to create an intuitive platform for acquisition and analysis of voltammetry data using the commercial probes. Finally, high production value training videos will be created and made freely available on the Pinnacle website. These will detail experimental procedures for all aspects of in vivo voltammetry including probe calibration, surgical procedures, and data acquisition and analysis protocols. Overall, this project is innovative, because it departs from the status quo by utilizing the redox activity inherent to enzymatically generated H2O2 to identify targeted non-electroactive species, even in the presence of electroactive molecules that are typically excluded as interferents. It is significant, because it combines two state-of-the-art and well-characterized technologies for neurochemical monitoring in a clever, straightforward, and unprecedented manner to provide the community with an established tool that can be used to study the role of glucose in complex physiological processes ranging from basic endocrine function to motivation. It promises to have a transformative effect on neuroscience by allowing researchers interested in diverse aspects of brain function to better understand how these specific neurochemicals rapidly co-fluctuate in discrete brain locations.NARRATIVE This effort will enable researchers to simultaneously measure multiple chemicals at a precise point in the brain. In any given year, 1 in 4 adults in the United States report some type of mental illness resulting in an economic cost of approximately $318 billion annually to the US economy. While symptoms of mental health disorders are well known, the underlying causes are not, and the probes resulting from this effort will greatly aid the search for understanding and the development of cures.
Tagged as:
SBIR
Phase I
2019
HHS
NIH
Development of a GABA Enzyme for Biosensor Applications
Amount: $1,211,159 Topic: 101
Abstract As the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the braina detailed understanding of the implications of gamma aminobutyric acidGABArelease remains elusiveThe measurement of GABA concentrations is a difficult processMicrodialysis is the current standard for GABA sampling in the brains of freely moving animalsbut suffers from low temporal resolution and the need for labor intensive analysis methodsBy contrastthe direct sensing of GABAby modalities including biosensorswould provide second by second temporal resolutionwithout the need for additional postanalysisHoweverbiosensors and other monitoring devicesrequire an enzyme to process the analyte of interestThe state of the art for the enzymatic conversion of GABA into a transducible signal is the sequential activity of multiple enzymes or antibodies entrapped within nanoparticlesFor brain and systemic GABA sensing applicationsa single GABA oxidase enzyme is necessaryNo such oxidase enzyme for GABA is currently availableThis proposal addresses this problem by designing a single GABA specific oxidase enzyme for use as the biorecognition element that is suitable for fabrication of a GABA biosensorDuring Phase I we identifiedisolatedpurifiedclonedcrystallized and modeled the active site structure ofNMethylaminobutyrate oxidaseMGOXWe set up a directed evolution systemKJin which there will only be growth if GABA is available as a nitrogen sourceand we demonstrated that the preliminary MGOX enzyme can be used on a biosensor to detect GABAFor Phase II of this projectthere are two major problems that must be solvedModification of MGOX to increase its kcat at physiological pHpHandModification of MGOX to increase sensitivity to detect physiologically relevant GABA concentrationsPinnacle will team with an interdisciplinary group of two leading scientists at the University of KansasProfessor Mark Richteris an expert in protein engineering and protein foldingand DrPhilip Gaois the Director of the Protein Production Core FacilityBy the end of Phase IItwo commercially available products will be availableFirsta GABA biosensor for real time measurement of physiologically relevant levels of GABA in the brain for preclinical animal models and seconda GABA oxidase enzyme for use in a variety of diagnostic and point of care devices
Tagged as:
SBIR
Phase II
2017
HHS
NIH
Development of a GABA Enzyme for Biosensor and Point-of-Care Applications
Amount: $153,963 Topic: 101
DESCRIPTION provided by applicant As the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain a detailed understanding of the implications of gamma aminobutyric acid GABA release remains elusive The measurement of GABA concentrations is a difficult process Microdialysis is the current standard for GABA sampling in the brains of freely moving animals but suffers from low temporal resolution and the need for labor intensive analysis methods By contrast the direct sensing of GABA by modalities including biosensors provides second by second temporal resolution without the need for additional post analysis However biosensors and other monitoring devices require an enzyme to process the analyte of interest The state of the art for the enzymatic conversion of GABA into a transducible signal is the sequential activity of three separate enzymes or antibodies entrapped within nanoparticles For CNS and systemic GABA sensing applications a single GABA oxidase enzyme is necessary No such oxidase enzyme for GABA is currently available To develop this enzyme Pinnacle will team with an interdisciplinary group of two leading scientists at the University of Kansas Professor Mark Richter is an expert in protein engineering and protein folding and Dr Philip Gao is the Director of the Protein Production Core Facility This team has already cloned expressed purified and characterized an oxidase enzyme wt pUUB Ox with some GABA activity During Phase I we will use this oxidase enzyme as a starting scaffold to evolve a true GABA oxidase enzyme At the end of Phase we will have an oxidase enzyme with a x x improvement in GABA activity relative to wt pUUB Ox and a clear path for Phase II to oxidase activity and stability suitable for the specific measurement of physiologically relevant GABA concentrations This evolved GABA oxidase enzyme will in a single reaction step oxidize GABA to produce hydrogen peroxide as a byproduct The GABA oxidase enzyme can be used as the basis for new monitoring paradigms that would otherwise be impossible By the end of Phase II two commercially available products will be available First a GABA biosensor for real time measurement of physiologically relevant levels of GABA in the brain for preclinical models and second a GABA oxidase enzyme for use in a variety of diagnostic and point of care devices PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and plays an important role in disorders ranging from newborn seizures to anxiety Alzheimerandapos s Huntingtonandapos s Parkinsonandapos s diseases and a wide variety of cancers The efficacy of disease models in research is well established for the development of treatments The quality of life and economic costs of these and other illnesses in which GABA plays a role are staggering These disorders disrupt millions of lives and America spends billions of dollars each year in hospital visits nursing home stays and lost productivity
Tagged as:
SBIR
Phase I
2016
HHS
NIH
A Tissue Implantable Microbiosensor
Amount: $998,761 Topic: 101
DESCRIPTION provided by applicant Abstract In this Phase II SBIR we will commercialize tissue implantable microbiosensors to measure glucose lactate and oxygen for use in freely moving animals We will also develop and commercialize a sensor array composed of a glucose biosensor a lactate biosensor and an oxygen sensor Biosensors provide high temporal resolution and low analyte consumption when compared to microdialysis Current state of the art biosensors O D m have proven value in the measurement of a range of analytes in the brains of freely moving rodents Reduction of biosensor diameter will result in considerably less damage to brain tissue and improved anatomical accuracy over current microdialysis and biosensor techniques Pinnacle will lead this proposal and work in conjunction with an interdisciplinary consortium of three leading scientists at the University of Kansas Professor Shenqiang Ren possesses extensive experience in materials science and nanofabrication techniques Professor Mark Richter is skilled in protein engineering and Professor George Wilson brings over years of experience in biosensor development to the project The facilities and equipment available at Pinnacle and the various University of Kansas laboratories will provide the resources required to successfully complete this project Innovative aspects of this proposal include new technologies in biosensor manufacturing such as nanoetching and electrophoretically manipulated enzyme immobilized nanoparticles and the ability to routinely and precisely deposit picoliters of substrate into a defined well In Phase I our team made several significant advancements in the development of a prototype m glucose microbiosensor We produced functional prototypes that measured glucose in a linear fashion to at least mM rejected ascorbate and urate and efficiently recycled O at the electrode surface These preliminary results form the foundation for the Phase II proposal These implantable m microbiosensors have the potential to significantly increase the understanding of the mechanisms behind drug neuron interactions This will profoundly change the drug discovery landscape and improve drug development efficiencies for pharmaceutical and biotech companies In addition increased spatial resolution and decreased inflammation responses will allow researchers to identify new neural processes leading to new understandings approaches and solutions for common maladies Biosensor sales in FY were $ billion with of the sales due to human glucose sensors Pinnacle is an established manufacturer of biosensors and is well positioned to introduce this new class of biosensors to a broad market PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE In the United States over disorders of the brain and nervous system result in more hospitalizations than for any other disease group including heart disease and cancer The quality of life and economic cost of brain and nervous system related disorders is staggering These disorders disrupt the lives of more than million Americans each year and costs exceed $ billion
Tagged as:
SBIR
Phase II
2015
HHS
NIH
A turn-key optogenetics and electrophysiology measurement system
Amount: $923,369 Topic: NIA
DESCRIPTION provided by applicant The goal of this project is to design and commercialize tethered and wireless turn key optogenetics and electrophysiological neurotransmitter behavior measurement systems for use in mice and rats Optogenetics harnesses a combination of genetic and optical methods to directly control neuronal events in specific cells of the central nervous system These methods are broadly applicable but can be specifically used to provide an unprecedented understanding of cortical activity and aging The optogenetics field is maturing and there are numerous commercial sources for optogenetic components however the technique requires a multidisciplinary skill set including chemistry optics physiology electronics mechanics software and systems analysis To date any single experiment requires a system designed from individual component parts Many researchers also have existing equipment that they desire to incorporate into a full optogenetics system This may include lasers cameras and potentially behavioral hardware and software platforms In these situations a digital timing protocol TTL is often used to maintain synchronization but there are subtleties device latency etc to this approach that are often overlooked The proposed system will be capable of delivering multiple selectable wavelengths of light to one or more specific brain regions while simultaneously recording electrical signals neurotransmitters and behavior in rodents throughout the lifespan of the animal All synchronization between the electrophysiological mechanical and visual inputs and optical and stimulus outputs will be precisely controlled via a master timing digital input output platform as well as sophisticated software timing techniques The LED fiber probe connects via a simple electrical connection to a headstage This removes the need for fiber optic rotary joints and enables precise control of the amount of light delivered When completed this system will significantly improve scientific knowledge by providing a turn key solution for researchers from multiple fields to seamlessly integrate optogenetic control alongside traditional pharmaceutical aging and other studies PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE In the United States over disorders of the brain and nervous system result in more hospitalizations than any other disease group including heart disease and cancer Twenty five percent of all years of life lost to disability and premature mortality are due to mental health disorders The overall cost of serious mental illness is estimated to be $ billion a year The widespread use of optogenetics techniques could broadly impact the search for mitigations and cures
Tagged as:
SBIR
Phase II
2015
HHS
NIH
A turn-key optogenetics and electrophysiology measurement system
Amount: $144,313 Topic: NIA
ABSTRACT Age-related sleep problems such as advanced sleep phase disorder (ASPD) are estimated to affect at least 1% of middle-aged adults and increase in prevalence with age. While the detrimental effects of sleep disruption with aging are well characterized, detailed insights into the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying these sleep changes are greatly lacking. Optogenetics harnesses a combination of genetic and optical methods to directly control neuronal events in specific cells of the central nervous system. Recent studies have confirmed that control of both wakefulness and slow-wave-sleep are possible using optogenetic methods. These methods can be used to provide an unprecedented understanding of cortical activity in aging. The optogenetics field is maturing and there are numerous commercial sources for optogenetic components; however, the technique requires a multidisciplinary skill set including chemistry, optics, physiology, electronics, mechanics, software, and systems analysis. To da
Tagged as:
SBIR
Phase I
2014
HHS
NIH
Group housing: A robotic system to track and interact with individuals
Amount: $944,455 Topic: 101
DESCRIPTION provided by applicant Individually housing animals even for a short period is known to have a negative influence on behavior learning ability and physiology Group housed rodents are better able to cope with stress through improved behavioral and physiological responses Unfortunately many experiments including those designed to measure behavior circadian activity and or neurological studies necessitate single housing due to technological restrictions Automated delivery of an experimental intervention such as a stimulus a food reward or gentle nudging to disturb sleep is easily accomplished with single animals but is complicated in group housed environments The overall goal of this proposal is to develop a novel cage enclosure designed to group house multiple physically similar animals with long term computer aided video monitoring and radio frequency identification RFID to correctly and accurately identify and track individual animals within a group of four and to automatically apply an intervention stimulus to one or more animals within the group This system will employ a robotic arm situated directly above the cage which when tied to the video tracking module and RFID reader can selectively apply an intervention stimulus i e gentle nudging food air puff to a specific animal based on state specific feedback The defined state may be classified using data collected via video tracking wireless electroencephalograph EEG measurement wireless biosensor measurement of specific neurochemicals or other wireless physiological measurements The system will be configurable so that the intervention stimulus may be applied to an individual animal based on physiological parameters defined by the researcher In Phase I Pinnacle successfully designed and tested a prototype system that identified one animal in a cohort of four and sleep deprived that animal by nudging for hours Sleep rebound was successfully measured to prove feasibility of the system Phase II will continue this development by testing and refining animal tracking and behavior involving multiple animals increasing the accuracy of video tracking and increasing the types of intervention stimuli available to the researcher by creation of multiple arm attachments that can be easily interchanged At the completion of Phase II we will have a complete turn key hardware and software solution that will be commercially available to the research community PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE CNS drug approval rates are lower than drugs for other therapeutic areas take years to reach the market and have higher failure rates in the later part of the development cycle equating to higher costs New tools are critical to improve the pre clinical data With the growing body of evidence that animals raised in isolation have different behaviors and physiological responses than animals housed together there is a need for a group housed research environment By providing such a habitat for CNS studies for example we are hopeful that this may improve the results of pre clinical screening for drugs along with providing new research in behavior
Tagged as:
SBIR
Phase II
2014
HHS
NIH
Applications and Methods for Continuous Monitoring of Physiological Chemistry
Amount: $723,765 Topic: ST12A-003
Point of care (POC) diagnostic devices are a well established market but have significant growth opportunities. Stable off-the-shelf biological recognition elements available in a form that can be readily incorporated into POC devices will be essential for wide spread use and deployment. Other than glucose oxidase, stable active oxidase enzymes are not available. Pinnacle has developed intellectual property (patent PCT/US11/51193) that provides a general solution for the use of cofactors to maximize the activity of oxidase enzymes used in diagnostic devices. We have also discovered that fusion proteins can dramatically enhance the stability of oxidases without compromising catalytic activity. Using high throughput screening of fusion proteins, directed evolution and large scale protein production in E.coli, we are developing a platform methodology for the optimization of existing (e.g. histamine, lactate), and the creation of new (e.g.cortisol) oxidases. Pinnacle Technology manufactures, sells and warranties biosensors for the detection of glucose, glutamate, lactate, and alcohol in animals. With the Richter and Gao laboratories at the University of Kansas, we have successfully cloned, expressed, purified and characterized oxidases for biosensors. The enzymes produced will be available for direct sale, or as biosensors. World-wide total biosensor sales are expected to reach $14 billion by 2016.
Tagged as:
STTR
Phase II
2014
DOD
DARPA