SAW Instruments GmbH

Company profile

SAW Instruments GmbH designs, develops and sells biosensor-based laboratory instruments for Research. Our target market is Life Sciences research in academia and biotech. In a unique approach, the proprietary technology of SAW Instruments uses Surface Acoustic Waves rather than traditional optical methods like SPR. This delivers a highly sensitive system which is simple to use, and performance which unlike SPR approaches is not interfered with by the presence of complex or dirty sample matrices such as serum, blood, clinical isolates, or fermentation broths. The product is uniquely positioned compared to other biosensor technologies, in that it is able to measure proteins in cells, membranes and liposomes using an ‘amplitude parameter‘ to detect conformational changes. In addition it carries out the orthodox functions of affinity measurements, kinetics and concentration determination. In the field of label-free biosensor technology SAW Instruments has more than ten years experience. It is our goal is to continue to build on this experience with our customer installed base and to develop a family of new workflow driven products and to expand our customer, applications and geographical base.

History

2000

Started as an R&D-project at the Center for Advanced
European Studies and Research in Bonn, Germany

2004

first prototype of a SAW-based biosensor system

2006

first SAW-biosensor product
started first commercial activities
awarded 1st prize at the German business plan contest “start2grow”

2006

Founded the company and began trading as Biosensor GmbH
Development and sale of SAW-based OEM-biosensor-components

2010

Founded as SAW Instruments GmbH
Refocused the business on Life Sciences
Relocated to new dedicated facility in Bonn with office, labs and production space
Established dedicated European sales and marketing function
Launch of new biosensor system sam5 (first in a family of planned new products)

Management Team

Sabine Bois
Managing Director

Sabine Bois is co-founder of SAW Instruments. She studied economics in Germany, the Netherlands and Spain. After completing her MBA she spent several years at different companies with focus on marketing, finance and business development. She was involved in the formation of a number of new companies active in technology development and Life Science applications. At SAW Instruments Sabine is Head of Finance.

Dr. Markus Perpeet
Managing Director

Dr. Markus Perpeet is co-founder of SAW Instruments. He studied physics at the University of Wuppertal and acquired his MBA at the University of Wales. He spent several years at different institutes and companies with focus on research, technology development and production. He was involved in the formation of different companies active in new technology development and Life Science applications. At SAW Instruments, Markus is Head of R&D, Operations and Production.

Board Members

Dr. Sebastian Meier-Ewert
Chairman of the Board

Sebastian Meier-Ewert, Ph.D. is biotechnology entrepreneur and executive. A biochemist by training, he has founded a number of companies involved in technology development, commercialisation, drug discovery research, consulting services and investment in the Life Science Industry. He co-founded GPC Biotech AG in 1997 and helped build the company into a leading public European biotech company in the field of oncology drug discovery and development. He served the company as Vorstand and Chief Scientific Officer as well as Chief Operating Officer of their US affiliate. Sebastian Meier-Ewert is managing director of KI Kapital GmbH, an investment company that provides growth financing and entrepreneurial support to life science companies. Additionally, as founder and Managing Director of Prosalix GmbH, he conducts oncology drug development.

Dr. Bernd Goergen
Board Member

Since 2008, Bernd Goergen, Ph.D. works for the High-Tech Gruenderfonds as Senior Investment Manager. The biologist and DVFA-certified Biotech analyst combines 5 years of research experience in virology-immunology and in-depth expertise from 7 years international diagnostics marketing for global market leaders in Germany and the US. Between 2000 and 2007 he joined the investment banking department of a major German bank, where he organised M&A activities and capital market transactions like IPOs and capital increases for life science companies.

Mark Reid
Board Member

Mark Reid, founded Genetix Group plc in 1991, before floating it on the London Stock Exchange in late 2000, before being acquired by the Danaher Corporation in December 2009 for £63.4m. Mr Reid, a qualified chartered accountant, worked for 4 years with KPMG in London. After a brief spell in the corporate development department of Dominion International plc, he went to found Plastic Injection Ltd in 1984 before it was acquired by the Jarden Corporation in 2003.

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