About

SunFire Biotechnologies LLC is located at the Innovation Depot in beautiful Birmingham, Alabama. SunFire is focused on the technologies developed by Dr. Moon Nahm during his 20+ years as a professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. During his academic career, Dr. Nahm has directed a WHO reference laboratory for pneumococcal serology and developed various technologies useful for pneumococcal vaccine studies, with the most notable being the invention of the MOPA (multiplexed opsonophagocytosis assay). The MOPA is used to measure protective capacity of antibodies and is often used to evaluate pneumococcal vaccines, especially in the elderly.

Our Story

SunFire was formed to satisfy demand from pneumococcal vaccine companies. Pneumococcal vaccines are strongly recommended for all children and older adults since pneumococcal infections are very common in those populations. New and improved pneumococcal vaccines are being developed by several companies in multiple countries. With increasing valency of the next generation vaccines, the MOPA is ideal to meet these demands.

SunFire was founded by Dr. Moon Nahm, Mr. Rob Burton, Dr. Deborah Bidanset, Dr. Phil Fernsten, and Mr. Taehea Nahm. (Learn more about our founders here.) In addition to inventing the MOPA, Dr. Nahm and Mr. Burton have more than 30 years of combined practical experience with the assay, including performance of the MOPA in a regulatory-compliant environment. Also, several members of the SunFire team have previous experience with the MOPA.

In addition to our considerable experience with the MOPA, SunFire personnel also have significant experience with other analytical assays for pneumococci, as well as other pathogens. Recently, SunFire received SBIR Phase II funding from the US government to refine a multiplexed serum bactericidal assay (mSBA) for functional antibodies against Shigella bacteria that was initially developed at SunFire.

Ongoing Development

Utilizing SunFire’s vast experience, we have additional assays in various stages of development. So, check back often.

Let us know how we can help.