ImmunoPrecise Antibodies Collaborates with FIND to Help Advance New TB Diagnostic Test

VICTORIA, Feb. 19, 2019 /CNW/ - IMMUNOPRECISE ANTIBODIES LTD. (the "Company" or "IPA") (TSX VENTURE: IPA) (OTC PINK: IPATF) announces the publication of the results of a research collaboration project with the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) where IPA developed rabbit monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for assessment in FIND's sensitive new immunoassay diagnostic test for tuberculosis (TB). IPA developed rabbit monoclonal antibodies, using its B cell Select platform, that recognize lipoarabinomannan (LAM), a lipopolysaccharide target and biomarker for TB that can be excreted in the urine of individuals with the disease. Two of these antibodies, when combined with others to form capture-detection pairs and a sensitive chemical detection reagent, were highly specific for LAM and sensitive enough to detect LAM in urine samples.

FIND believes that early diagnosis is crucial for achieving the goal of decreasing the estimated 1.7 million deaths caused by tuberculosis each year. Developing an affordable point-of-care diagnostic that is sensitive enough to accurately detect the disease in easily-obtainable samples is a challenging, but critical part of achieving that goal.

IPA's propriety B cell Select platform enables antibody discovery directly from the B cells derived from tissues of many species of animal, including rabbits, while maintaining the antibodies' native heavy and light chain pairings. "Organizations that develop immunoassays as diagnostic tests depend on the discovery of sensitive and specific mAbs. These reagents form the foundation for dependable diagnostics that could ultimately increase the early diagnosis and thus decrease the effects of many diseases worldwide," said Jennifer Bath, President and CEO of ImmunoPrecise Antibodies.

"We are pleased with the outcome of this successful collaboration," said Claudia Denkinger, Head of Tuberculosis program at FIND. "Just 3 months after immunization we were able to use the high-affinity rabbit monoclonal antibody developed by ImmunoPrecise in a sensitive assay to detect the tuberculosis antigen. The antibody was highly specific with excellent affinities."

The scientific publication titled: A Novel Sensitive Immunoassay Targeting the 5-Methylthio-d-Xylofuranose?Lipoarabinomannan Epitope Meets the WHO's Performance Target for Tuberculosis Diagnosis, was published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology 2018 Dec; 56(12)

About ImmunoPrecise Antibodies Ltd.

ImmunoPrecise is a full-service, therapeutic and diagnostic antibody discovery company focused on the next generation of antibody discovery, to deliver the most relevant antibodies, in a shorter period of time, with the highest probability of succeeding through clinical validation.

ImmunoPrecise Antibodies Ltd operates from three state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. ImmunoPrecise Antibodies (Canada) is located in Victoria, British Columbia, while U-Protein Express B.V., and ModiQuest Research B.V. are located in Utrecht and Oss, Netherlands, respectively. The Company operates globally to offer antibody services from target analysis to pre-clinical studies.

The services offered to clients include antibody discovery for a broad spectrum of antigens, including challenging targets. Among these services, the Company offers antibody development directly from B-cells (B-Cell Select), through phage display, and by hybridoma production. The Company also provides a broad range of supporting services including immunologically-based assays, recombinant protein manufacturing, humanization, optimization, stable cell line development, and advanced solutions to challenges faced by clients in antibody-related research and development. The antibodies produced by ImmunoPrecise target a wide variety of therapeutic, diagnostic and research applications.

About FIND:

FIND (Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics) is an international non-profit organization that enables the development and delivery of much-needed diagnostic tests for poverty-related diseases, including tuberculosis, malaria, HIV/AIDS, sleeping sickness, hepatitis C, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, Buruli ulcer, febrile illnesses and infectious diseases with outbreak potential, such as Ebola.

FIND acts as a bridge between experts in technology development, policy and clinical care, reducing barriers to innovation and effective implementation of diagnostic solutions in low- and middle-income countries.

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains statements that, to the extent they are not recitations of historical fact, may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. The Company uses words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "likely", "expect", "believe", "intend" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by ImmunoPrecise in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. However, whether actual results and developments will conform to ImmunoPrecise's expectations and predictions is subject to any number of risks, assumptions and uncertainties.  Many factors could cause ImmunoPrecise's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Such factors include, among other things, actual revenues and earnings for IPA being lower than anticipated, and those risks and uncertainties described in ImmunoPrecise's annual management discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2017 which can be accessed at www.sedar.com. The "forward-looking statements" contained herein speak only as of the date of this press release and, unless required by applicable law, ImmunoPrecise undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise such information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE ImmunoPrecise Antibodies Ltd.