Kapa Biosystems Launches Suite of High-Performance DNA and RNA Products that Improve Next-Generation Sequencing Workflows and Performance for Challenging Samples

Kapa Biosystems, Inc., a leading supplier of reagents for the life science market, has announced the launch of products that improve performance and workflows for genomic research. The new suite of products enables researchers to apply the latest next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies more effectively to millions of low quality and challenging samples, such as formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue common in cancer profiling. Kapa Biosystems and its customers will present data supporting the new products during the 2014 Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT) Meeting in Marco Island, Fla. on February 12-15.

“We remain focused on delivering innovative products that help unlock the genetic code and provide insights into the transcriptome as we drive towards a more holistic, systems biology understanding of genetics,” said Brian Komorous, Director of Marketing at Kapa Biosystems. “With these new products, we are building on the success of our DNA sequencing solutions and expanding into RNA sequencing markets, with the goal of improving performance and sequencing quality.”

Multiple Products to Accelerate DNA & RNA Research
Kapa Biosystems offers a portfolio of high-performance reagents for use in PCR, qPCR, NGS, and molecular diagnostics applications. The reagents contain novel enzymes that confer significant performance advantages when compared to traditional wild-type enzymes. Many of the products are optimized for high-throughput workflows, and include pre-validated scripts using the leading liquid handling automation platforms.

The latest NGS products offer significant workflow and performance advantages over competitive offerings.

• KAPA hgDNA Quantification and QC Kit - A qPCR-based assay used to assess the quality of FFPE material prior to NGS sample preparation. The sample “quality score” provides a metric for optimizing DNA input, library amplification and correlates with sequencing success. The KAPA hgDNA Quantification and QC Kit is available now and compatible with all Illumina and Ion Torrent NGS platforms.

• KAPA Hyper Prep Kit - A second-generation DNA library preparation kit that streamlines conventional library preparation workflows and improves library yields, making it ideal for use in applications with challenging samples, such as FFPE tissue or GC- and AT-rich microbes. The KAPA Hyper Prep Kit is compatible with all Illumina NGS platforms and will be commercially available in early Q2.

• KAPA Stranded mRNA-Seq Kit - A RNA library preparation kit for gene expression and copy number analysis applications. The kit provides a streamlined workflow, 99 percent strandedness, and improved detection of challenging GC-rich and low abundance transcripts. The KAPA Stranded mRNA-Seq Kit is compatible with all Illumina NGS platforms and will be commercially available in early Q2.

Later this year, Kapa Biosystems will continue to add to its RNA product portfolio with additional pre-validated solutions using leading liquid handling platforms for NGS applications.

Continued Commercial Growth and Expansion
Last month, Kapa Biosystems announced several high-profile additions to its management team, along with the relocation of its corporate and international headquarters to larger facilities in Wilmington, Mass., and Cape Town, South Africa respectively. Combined, these new locations offer more than 25,000 square feet, which more than doubles the company¹s previous facility investment. These new hires and larger facilities enable the company to scale enzyme production, quality control and manufacturing capacity across its four business franchises, increase headcount and expand R&D initiatives to better serve its growing number of customers around the world.