WELLESLEY, Mass., Nov. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Xceed Molecular, a pioneer in the development of cost-effective, easy-to-use gene-expression analysis systems, announced that the company will launch its Ziplex Automated Gene-Expression System for research use only at the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) Annual Meeting and Exhibit, which opens today at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles. The first integrated system designed for automated gene-expression analysis, the Ziplex System comprises an automated workstation, TipChip consumable arrays, and reagents.
Xceed designed the Ziplex System to make routine molecular diagnostics both feasible and affordable. "The routine clinical laboratory will require a system that is reliable and easy to operate," said Xceed's President and CEO, David Deems. "As a fully automated and integrated platform, the Ziplex System is unmatched for both its ease-of-use and reliability of results, delivering superior accuracy, reproducibility, speed, and scalability at significantly lower cost than conventional array- or PCR-based systems. The Ziplex System allows researchers to perform testing at approximately one-third the cost and in one-third the time of conventional platforms. After the sample preparation has been completed, the hands-on time to process eight samples is approximately 20 minutes. We believe our System will help make the promise of personalized medicine a reality."
While today is the official launch of the Ziplex System, biomedical researchers across the country are already familiar with the system's performance, according to Deems. The company has been offering Expression Services for the last year, and has presented data at a number of important conferences. Deems continued, "Xceed is developing a pipeline of diagnostic assays for use on the Ziplex System. There is a great deal of interest in focused content - and there are few competitive alternatives. We expect to have a variety of condition- or pathway-specific Signature Chips that will be available both as catalog products and through Xceed's Expression Services. The Metabolic Signature Chip, designed to investigate differential expression associated with diseases of the metabolic system (e.g. muscle disorders, obesity, and other metabolic diseases), is available today. In addition, Xceed now offers the Breast and Colon Cancer Signature Chips. We have a number of other Signature Chips in development for inflammation and for a range of cancers, including prostate, lung, and melanoma. We are actively pursuing licensing arrangements with strategic partners to add other signatures to our pipeline."
The list price for the Ziplex Automated Workstation, which automates the hybridization, imaging, quantitation, and quality control, is $85,000 USD. The TipChip consumable that contains assay-specific content can cost as little as $120 USD per TipChip. (The price will vary based on content.) As part of the AMP launch, Xceed is offering special promotional pricing for early adopters.
Technical Topics Workshop
Xceed is also sponsoring a Technical Topics Workshop at the conference: Translational Research of Gene-Expression Assays to the Ziplex Automated Workstation by David Englert, PhD. Time: 1 to 2 pm, Wed, Nov 7, 2007, Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel Constellation Room A.
About Xceed Molecular
Xceed's vision is to advance molecular diagnostics by successfully translating novel multiplex tests into routine clinical practice and to create robust diagnostic solutions to improve disease outcomes. Our products comprise the Ziplex(R) System for automated gene-expression analysis (available in the US and Canada for research use only), gene expression services, and pre- configured arrays. Xceed is also developing multiplexed genomic tests for the Ziplex platform, both internally and with strategic partners. Xceed's R&D and manufacturing are headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, with executive offices in Wellesley, Massachusetts. For more information, visit http://www.xceedmolecular.com/.
Xceed Molecular
