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Lab21 Acquires Novel Real Time PCR Technology

24 Jan 2012
Sonia Nicholas
Managing Editor and Clinical Lead

Product news

Lab21 Limited has announced the completion of a worldwide licence from Cooperative Diagnostics, to be able to use its new real time PCR technology. The agreement will allow Lab21 (headquartered in Cambridge, UK) to use a suite of patents and expertise from the South Carolina based company, for the development of its growing pipeline of molecular diagnostic kits.

Cooperative Diagnostics has successfully commercialized a series of assays in the infectious disease area, demonstrating the capability of their novel molecular technologies which use biophysical models and statistical bioinformatics.

Graham Mullis, CEO at Lab21 explained “Lab21 has established a global business in immunodiagnostic assays. The company is also developing a pipeline of nucleic-acid tests. The Cooperative Diagnostics technologies bring powerful new tools to our development capability including fifth generation real-time PCR technology and we expect to launch our first CE marked companion diagnostic assays using this technology during the first half of 2012. These tests will be commercialized through our international distribution networks and particularly through our key global OEM partners.”

Dr Berwyn Clarke, CSO at Lab21 said: “As part of this agreement we have exclusive use of this technology on a set of defined biomarker targets particularly in the oncology and infectious disease areas. Preliminary work has shown that assay development times can be reduced significantly and that performance is often better in terms of existing gold standards of sensitivity and specificity. We expect the technology to deliver a substantial number of new assays in the first 12 months and will be of significant interest to pharmaceutical companies needing to fast track companion diagnostic development.”

Dr. Brent C. Satterfield, Cooperative Diagnostics’ President and Founder, said: “This agreement with Lab21 allows us to accelerate our rate of test development and deployment. We are confident that our technology will provide a springboard to strengthen Lab21’s continued growth into the coming years.”

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PCR and Thermal CyclingPolymerase chain reaction (PCR) kits and thermal cyclers are used for the in vitro amplification of DNA permitting subsequent analysis and experimental procedures. Explore a range of high-quality polymerase, primers and nucleotides or simplify your workflow with a PCR mastermix. Find reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and cDNA synthesis kits for RNA products and libraries. Quantitatively measure the amplification of DNA with real-time PCR (qPCR) and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) kits and systems, and discover automated PCR setup solutions to increase throughput. Alternative DNA amplification methods also include recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) kits. Find the best PCR kits and thermal cyclers and purification equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.HematologyIn Haematology / Hematology, complete blood cell counts (or full blood counts) are obtained using automated blood count analyzers to enumerate blood cell types.  Hematology also encompasses haemostasis and coagulation, thrombophilia and hemophilia, plasma viscosity and ESR analysis, hemoglobinopathies, cell morphology and haematinic measurement.ImmunologyImmunological techniques measure and characterize immune responses. Immunology kits and analysis systems often use techniques such as ELISA, radioimmunoassay (RIA) and immunodiffusion assays, Immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. Immunologists use equipment such as flow Cytometers, plate readers, plate washers and fluorescent microscopes.BiomarkersBiomarkers are biological markers which can be measured and evaluated to indicate a biological state. The use of biomarkers in research and diagnosis can indicate a normal or disease state or drug response of cells / tissues. Biomarkers include genetic markers, cell surface markers such as antigens, antibodies or receptors and secreted molecules such as cytokines. An assay system is required for identification of biomarkers. :Clinical GeneticsMolecular Genetics covers the analysis of hereditary genetic disease and chromosomal abnormalities. Genetics can be analysed using DNA, RNA, and protein microarrays, PCR, RT PCR and DNA sequencing. Genetic equipment includes genetic workstations, thermal cyclers, cooling blocks and electrophoresis products. Diagnostic kits are used for DNA / RNA extraction and purification.Clinical MicrobiologyMicrobiology is the study of microorganisms including protists, prokaryotes, fungi, and, often, viruses. Microorganisms are a useful research tool as genetic vectors and, in immunology, for antibiotic susceptibility testing, cellular biology and genetics. Microorganisms commonly grow readily in incubators with microbial culture media; this can contain chromogenic supplements to differentiate between cell lines. Estimate your culture’s density of microorganisms with colony counters, or screen and select colonies for desirable clones with automated colony pickers. Additionally, equipment is available to monitor environments for the presence of microbes and identify with microbial identification instruments. Find the best microbiology products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Companion DiagnosticsCompanion diagnostics are tests, often <i>in vitro</i>, that are used to determine whether a therapeutic product will be safe and effective for use on an individual. They also identify which patients will benefit most from them. Companion diagnostic tests are often developed in conjunction with the pharmaceutical industry.

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