Medical Solutions becomes first UK commercial service provider of Illumina next generation DNA sequencing and genotyping applications

The Board of Medical Solutions plc, a UK-based provider of expert, quality DNA sequencing and genotyping services to the healthcare, pharma biotech and life sciences research sectors, is pleased to announce that it is implementing a new technology platform at its Nottingham laboratory that will help to broaden the Company’s offering and increase efficiencies.

Medical Solutions will become the UK’s first commercial service provider for these leading edge systems, which it will be sourcing from Illumina, Inc.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Medical Solutions to offer both Illumina’s Genome Analyzer, a next generation DNA sequencing system and Infinium whole genome genotyping on the BeadStation platform;
• First commercial service provider of Illumina applications in the UK;
• Complete pipeline of histopathology to genomic services, including DNA extraction, biobanking, whole genome amplification and DNA sequencing in GLP, GCP and CPA accredited laboratories

Adoption of Illumina’s DNA sequencing and genotyping platforms will complement Medical Solutions’ extensive portfolio of diagnostic and contract research services ranging from cell and tissue to genomic analysis. This further demonstrates the Company’s commitment to be a market leader in the UK for the provision of expert, quality laboratory services to the healthcare, pharma biotech and life science research sectors.

Dr Tom Weaver, Commercial Director for Medical Solutions said, "We selected the Illumina platforms because the data quality, reproducibility, flexibility and breadth of applications are, in our opinion, the best in the industry. This represents cutting edge technology capable of revealing an enormous volume of genetic information. Customers have already expressed significant interest in applications run on the Genome Analyzer and BeadStation platforms, and it is our intention to develop strategic partnerships with these early adopters, enabling them to take full advantage of the power of whole genome analysis by providing high-quality data in an accredited quality laboratory environment. "

Dr. Weaver added, “Illumina DNA sequencing and genotyping platforms are also capable of delivering analyses in the expanding field of personalised genomic services.”

“The addition of Illumina’s Genome Analyzer and BeadStation platforms demonstrates the level of commitment Medical Solutions has to its customers and to providing them with leading-edge technologies that enable whole genome analysis” said Karen Possemato, Director of Corporate Marketing at Illumina. “Their added interest in becoming an Illumina CSPro further supports the value Medical Solutions sees in Illumina’s products and how this program can be a key factor in their success.”