Building on a two-year scientific collaboration and co-authored peer-reviewed publication, the collaboration supports(EQNX::nobreakspace)new approaches(EQNX::nobreakspace)to herd health monitoring for New Zealand's dairy and beef sectors

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, May 20, 2026 /CNW/ -- Pictor, a global targeted proteomics platform company founded in New Zealand, today announced it has(EQNX::nobreakspace)formalised(EQNX::nobreakspace)a collaboration with Disease Research Limited (DRL), a leading New Zealand veterinary diagnostic laboratory based at Invermay Research Centre in Mosgiel, Dunedin. The collaboration(EQNX::nobreakspace)formalises(EQNX::nobreakspace)an existing scientific relationship and(EQNX::nobreakspace)establishes(EQNX::nobreakspace)a joint framework for the validation and launch planning of(EQNX::nobreakspace)PictVet^{(EQNX::registered)} Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) IgG Multiplex ELISA Kit(EQNX::nobreakspace)(EQNX::emdash) the bacterium associated with Johne's disease in cattle.

Johne's disease(EQNX::nobreakspace)remains(EQNX::nobreakspace)a significant challenge for New Zealand's dairy and beef industries. MAP infection is estimated to be present in a(EQNX::nobreakspace)substantial(EQNX::nobreakspace)portion(EQNX::nobreakspace)of New Zealand dairy herds, contributing meaningful economic impact across the sector.¹ Despite its prevalence, participation in routine whole-herd monitoring remains variable, with uptake influenced by the operational and practical challenges associated with existing single-analyte approaches.

Pictor's(EQNX::nobreakspace)PictVet^{(EQNX::registered)}(EQNX::nobreakspace)MAP assay uses a multi-analyte targeted proteomic approach that incorporates several MAP-specific antigens to broaden antibody analysis in subclinical cases.(EQNX::nobreakspace)The assay is designed for use with both milk and(EQNX::nobreakspace)serum(EQNX::nobreakspace)samples, offering flexibility to support a range of herd-level testing workflows for farming operations.

The collaboration builds on a relationship(EQNX::nobreakspace)established(EQNX::nobreakspace)in 2024 under a Product Development Framework Agreement between the two(EQNX::nobreakspace)organisations. DRL's Simon Liggett, Director and Laboratory Manager, was a co-author on a peer-reviewed publication in(EQNX::nobreakspace)Frontiers in Veterinary Science(EQNX::nobreakspace)in 2025 that reported preliminary validation data related to the(EQNX::nobreakspace)PictVet^{(EQNX::registered)}(EQNX::nobreakspace)MAP assay.²(EQNX::nobreakspace)Further studies are currently underway in New Zealand with involvement from DRL and additional industry collaborators.

"New Zealand's livestock industry has long been a global leader in animal health innovation, making DRL an ideal collaborator for this work. By combining DRL's(EQNX::nobreakspace)expertise(EQNX::nobreakspace)in veterinary laboratory workflows with Pictor's targeted proteomic assay platform, we aim to support more practical and scalable herd health monitoring approaches for farmers and veterinarians across New Zealand."
(EQNX::emdash) Jamie Platt, PhD, CEO and Co-founder, Pictor(EQNX::nobreakspace)

"DRL and Pictor share common values in approaching assay development from a multi-analyte perspective. This approach adds value for farmers and veterinarians by supporting broader herd insights and more informed on-farm management decisions. We are excited by the work being done together and look forward to future collaborations."
(EQNX::emdash) Sara Ferguson, Director and Operations Manager, Disease Research Limited(EQNX::nobreakspace)

Both(EQNX::nobreakspace)organisations(EQNX::nobreakspace)also plan to engage with stakeholders at the New Zealand Veterinary Association(EQNX::nobreakspace)(NZVA) Annual Conference in Auckland, June 23(EQNX::endash)25, 2026,(EQNX::nobreakspace)where progress related to the collaboration will be shared with members of the veterinary community.

Note to editors: Published validation findings referenced above are preliminary and based on a limited validation cohort. Larger multi-farm studies are currently underway. The(EQNX::nobreakspace)PictVet(EQNX::registered) MAP assay is for research use only (RUO) and is not intended for clinical or veterinary decision-making.(EQNX::nobreakspace)

About Pictor
Pictor is a global targeted(EQNX::nobreakspace)proteomic(EQNX::nobreakspace)platform(EQNX::nobreakspace)company(EQNX::nobreakspace)founded in New Zealand and headquartered in Carlsbad, California, with operations in New Zealand, Australia, and India. The company develops multi-analyte proteomic assay solutions for human and animal health, combining broad sample compatibility and AI-assisted analysis to deliver actionable laboratory insights for research and testing environments worldwide. Pictor's animal health platform,(EQNX::nobreakspace)PictVet^{(EQNX::registered)}, is designed to support livestock health monitoring across multiple disease states. For more information, www.pictorproteomics.com.

About Disease Research Limited (DRL)
Disease Research Limited is a specialist New Zealand veterinary diagnostic laboratory based at Invermay Research Centre in Mosgiel, Dunedin. DRL provides laboratory services and applied research support to New Zealand's livestock industries, with a focus on herd health monitoring, livestock testing workflows, and collaborative industry research initiatives. For more information, visit www.drl.net.nz.

Media Contact
Kelly Krueger
Audacity Health(EQNX::nobreakspace)on behalf of Pictor
415-235-5031
Kelly.krueger@audacityhealth.com
www.pictordx.com(EQNX::nobreakspace)

References

¹(EQNX::nobreakspace) Johne's(EQNX::nobreakspace)Information Centre New Zealand. Economic impact of Johne's disease in New Zealand dairy herds. Accessed May 2026.
²(EQNX::nobreakspace) Chiu(EQNX::nobreakspace)SJ,(EQNX::nobreakspace)Bugde(EQNX::nobreakspace)P, Kinga A, et al. Multiplex biomarker-based ELISA enables early detection of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis-specific antibodies comparable to IFN-γ testing.(EQNX::nobreakspace)Front Vet Sci.(EQNX::nobreakspace)2025. doi:10.3389/fvets.2025.1749510

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SOURCE Pictor Holdings Inc.

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