• Rapid assay with a detectable signal in 30 s after incubation of the enzyme substrate with the assay assembly that results from proximity of biological assembly to a bare detecting electrode and the small volume of the cavity (16 pL). This eliminates the need for volumes greater than 1 µL that otherwise leads to dilution of the detected species. Hence, even when there are just a few signal-generating species present, the signal can be recorded.

• High sensitivity and signal to noise ratio that arises from the use of microelectrodes, resulting in low minimum detection concentration (e.g. 9 pg/mL or 56 x 10_^-15 moles/L or ~34,000 molecules lgG).

• Improved reliability of results (standard error at 1 to 3%) that arises from the reproducible covalent immobilization of the capture monoclonal lgG antibody on the solid platform.

• Large range of assay volumes from less than 100 nL to > 35 mL.

• Ease of miniaturization of electrochemical detector, which can lead to inexpensive battery operated portable, lightweight, permanent equipment that uses disposable microarray assay chips.

• Potential for automation for ease of use by non-skilled personnel and allowance of high throughput analysis of multiple samples.

• Multiple analyte can be assayed simultaneously in the same analysis event, on the same sample, and can be detected simultaneously or sequentially.

• Elimination of false positives and false negatives that result from interferences due to impure sample, color, and/or turbidity.

• Ability to assess precision and accuracy with quality control and proficiency test samples.

The company has successfully gained the attention and support of funding agencies for the various applications of its technology. Vegrandis is in the process of preparing its first few products consisting of chips with arrays of self-contained microelectrochemical cavities within the next few months. The first automated bench top electrochemical instrument designed for Vegrandis chips will be available within the next 18 months. The chips and the instrument will be accompanied by reagent kits that will be made available at the same time as the chips and the instrument.