DVRG.L Regulatory News (DVRG)

4 October 2022

DeepVerge PLC

("DeepVerge" or "the Company")

Labskin contract to develop revolutionary new approach to testing for radiation exposure

Collaboration with team of experts to develop new standards to protect military and civilians working or living near radiation sources

Labskin, a DeepVerge (AIM:DVRG) business, announces its selection by the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity ("IARPA"), part of the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence, to join a team of experts to develop new ways to evaluate radiation exposure in civilians and military personnel. 

Labskin is a key member of a consortium selected to develop these technologies in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of experts including professors from the University of Columbia in New York, Georgetown University in Washington DC, the Georgia Institute of Technology, scientists from the American Type Culture Collection ("ATCC") and computer scientists and researchers from ARETE Associates, a defence contractor specialising in sensing solution and machine learning algorithms.

In a 3-year project worth $810k to the Company, starting immediately, Labskin will help develop this technology into minimally invasive testing for radiation for a programme known as Targeted Evaluation of Ionizing Radiation Exposure ("TEI-REX"). TEI-REX aims to develop novel approaches to evaluate organisms exposed to low-dose ionising radiation. Labskin, coupled with Skin Trust Club's expertise in skin research and microbiology, is essential for the project.

The goal of the project is to develop a new biodosimetry standard which could be applied to maintain the safety of military and civilian populations working or living in close proximity to ionizing radiation sources, such as: nuclear plants, nuclear vessels, ammunition, etc. Labskin's contribution is the creation of a simple non-invasive swab test to collect signatures from the skin surface that allows machine learning algorithms to detect and quantify the impact of any amount of radiation exposure on the skin microbiome.

David Caballero-Lima, Chief Scientist, Labskin commented:

"This is a unique opportunity to revolutionise the way we test for radiation exposure. Labskin and Skin Trust Club are at the forefront of an increasing number of cutting edge technologies that are changing our world. This technique can also be applied to detect the impact of pollution or a variety of chemicals on the environment. This type of testing could also be used to detect exposure in complex ecological systems such as the soil, crops or sediments."

Colin O'Sullivan, Chief Information Officer, Labskin commented:

"We are committed to the success of this very exciting project. The inclusion of artificial intelligence and the opportunity to work with ARETE Associates, with their vast experience in complex AI applications, will result in further advances in how AI can be used in conjunction with our skin model at scale. This project coincides with the expansion of our US labs in Delaware, which will assist in the implementation of this large project. We believe our proven ability to transition technology to the field with Skin Trust Club will be invaluable as we progress this project."

About DeepVerge

DeepVerge is an environmental and life science group of companies that develops and applies AI and IoT technology to analytical instruments for the analysis and identification of bacteria, viruses and toxins. Utilizing artificial intelligent data analytics to scientifically prove the impact of skincare product claims on skin microbiome for most of the top 20 global cosmetic company clients and remotely detect and identify in real-time, dangerous pathogens in wastewater treatment plants, drinking water, rivers, lakes and reservoirs.

Labskin (Life Science Division)

Labskin have been pioneering the development of laboratory grown human skin platform for more than 15 years and is the only commercially available lab-grown full thickness human skin model that naturally mimics the skin's microbiome. With top 20 global consumer health and skincare clients, thousands of industry tests, the good and bad bacteria that naturally exists on human skin is present on Labskin when testing skin care, cosmetics, health care, drug delivery or wound care products. The Labskin test platform and protocols help clients maintain an optimum real-world environment, when testing their new ingredients and existing skincare products, that shows the positive or negative impact on skin's natural microflora.

Skin Trust Club

Skin Trust Club (www.skintrustclub.com), launched in 2021, provides customized skincare routines derived from a home test kit, lab tested and linked to local environment via a free smartphone App that updates in real-time and identifies skincare products that suit the subscribers unique skin microbiome. This revolutionizes how you take care of your skin with your own skincare routine. The Home Test Kit comprises a single swab that maps the skin microbiome delivering a report that produces the most appropriate daily skincare routine based on science, not guesswork. Using real-time air pollution and weather data from the customer's location, the Skin Trust App builds a complete picture of the skin microbiome and the impact of local surroundings.

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