SPEAR: A Homogeneous Immunoassay Merging Protein Quantification with the Sensitivity, Simplicity, and Scalability of Nucleic Acid Testing Paradigms

Learn about SPEAR (Successive Proximity Extension Amplification Reaction), a revolutionary homogeneous immunoassay technology that bridges the sensitivity gap between protein and nucleic acid detection in this 23-minute webinar presented by Dr. Feng Xuan, inventor of the SPEAR technology and founder of Spear Bio. Discover how this innovative assay, inspired by kinetic proofreading mechanisms, employs a 2-step, proximity-dependent amplicon generation process to enhance proximity effects while eliminating unwanted background signals. Explore how SPEAR achieves over 100-fold sensitivity improvement compared to Single Molecule Array (SiMoA) technology, enabling separation- and wash-free workflows capable of precisely quantifying proteins at sub-femtomolar concentrations from sub-microliter sample volumes using standard qPCR instrumentation. Understand the technology's ability to reliably measure low-abundant proteins below 100 analyte copies in samples using various target-specific binders including aptamers, antibodies, and antigens. Examine SPEAR's exceptional specificity through its 2-factor authentication system and allowance of free target-binder interaction in homogeneous solution, making it less dependent on binder affinity due to its wash-free workflow. Learn about the clinical application of SPEAR p-Tau217 plasma assay, which quantifies 100% of clinical samples and achieved 90% clinical sensitivity and specificity in determining amyloid pathology for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis using a single cutoff, eliminating indeterminate results and obviating the need for costly PET scans. Gain insights into how SPEAR technology redefines protein detection limits by merging the sensitivity, simplicity, and scalability of nucleic acid testing with protein biomarker quantification, opening new possibilities for broader clinical and research applications.