ROCKVILLE, MD, and EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND -- 06/17/08 --
Seegene and Lab901
today announced the availability of a novel automated multi-pathogen
walk-away detection platform for European hospitals. Based on the
Seeplex® multiplexing PCR system and ScreenTape® gel electrophoresis
detection system, this new Seeplex/ScreenTape detection platform will be
introduced to clinical and research laboratories in 10 countries across
Europe beginning this month.
Seegene and Lab901 have agreed to co-market the testing solutions in the
European market. The two companies are responding to requests in Europe for
a new automated testing technique to perform what is a routine, but not
always consistent, test for biological agents in clinics. Hospital centers
in The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Norway, Greece, Austria,
France, Israel and Turkey have started demonstrations of the automated
Seeplex/ScreenTape system.
"As active pathogenic surveillance becomes the norm for healthcare regimes
worldwide, clinical research and reference labs will be placed under
increased pressure to perform. It is essential that these labs gain the
tools and systems that enable them to increase the speed and efficiency of
pathogen detection," said Dr. Jong-Yoon Chun, Founder and Chief Executive
Officer, Seegene. "The automated Seeplex/ScreenTape system sets a new
standard for automated detection ease of use and performance."
"The simplicity, speed and sample traceability of the Seeplex/ScreenTape
system is clearly of real value to diagnostic microbiology and virology
laboratories," said Joel Fearnley, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer
of Lab901. "The ScreenTape system optimized for Seeplex multi-pathogen
tests will help speed up discovery and diagnostic procedures."
The automated Seeplex/ScreenTape tests are based on a Seeplex multiplexing
PCR technology from Seegene, which is capable of detecting multiple
pathogens in a single tube, and ScreenTape®, an automated walk-away gel
electrophoresis detection system from Lab901.
The Seeplex tests with the CE mark and ISO 13485 deliver maximum
specificity, reproducibility and sensitivity and can be applied to a broad
range of molecular diagnostics, including human, animal, plant and
microorganisms. The ScreenTape system will automate the simultaneous
analysis of eight or sixteen Seeplex PCR samples. Processing speed for 8
samples is completed within 10 minutes; 16 samples within 18 minutes.
ScreenTape displays results using an easy to interpret positive and
negative read out. With no gel or buffer preparation and no system priming,
even untrained operators can rapidly generate accurate and reproducible
test data.
The automated Seeplex/ScreenTape tests are currently available for sexually
transmitted diseases (STD), human papillomavirus (HPV), respiratory viruses
(RV) and bacterial pneumonia (PB). In addition, further automated Seeplex
tests are under development and will be available soon. Particularly,
hospitals have showed high interest for the single tube Seeplex Sepsis test
scheduled for July release.
About Seegene:
Seegene, Inc. is pioneering the field of
multi-pathogen testing. Seegene applies its novel and proprietary
Seeplex® system utilizing "DPO (Dual Priming Oligo)" and "ACP (Annealing
Control Primer)" to create multi-pathogen tests delivering maximum
specificity, reproducibility and sensitivity. With over 260 citations and
several patents and patents pending, Seegene has been offering advanced
molecular diagnostics services to over 1,000 major global institutes in
more than 25 countries. Seegene's mission is to integrate Seeplex® with
disease diagnostics to provide a new guideline for effectively treating
patients. Seegene was founded in 2000 and is based in Rockville, MD and
Seoul, Korea. For more information please visit www.seegene.com.
About the Seeplex® System: Frontier of Multi-pathogen Detection:
Seeplex® is a breakthrough multiplexing PCR technology that enables a new
standard in simultaneous multi-pathogen detection. Seeplex® works in
combination with automatic detection systems such as ScreenTape® and
delivers a benchmark in testing accuracy, efficiency and
cost-effectiveness.
About Lab901:
Lab901 based in Edinburgh, UK, is a leading laboratory automation Company.
The D800 ScreenTape® for DNA analysis was the first product from a
pipeline of consumables that run on the company's TapeStation(TM)
instrument. The new DS12 ScreenTape® System, specifically developed for
Seeplex® tests, automates the analysis of Seegene's multi-pathogen PCR
tests.
About ScreenTape® System:
The ScreenTape® system is the first automated, walk-away solution for gel
electrophoresis. Customers simply load their samples and the ScreenTape®
into the compact TapeStation(TM) instrument. In just under 10 minutes,
fully analysed results for DNA, RNA and protein samples are presented in an
easy-to-interpret format.
Contacts:
Sang kil Lee
Seegene Inc.
301-762-9066
Email Contact
or
Richard Rowling
Lab901 Ltd.
+44 (0) 131 448-2904
Email Contact
Constantine Theodoropulos
Boston Communications
617-292-7319
Email Contact
