Rubicon Genomics, Inc. Announces Early Access Program For ThruPLEX Plasma-seq That Enables Use Of Liquid Biopsies For Detection Of Genetic Mutations

ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Rubicon Genomics, Inc., today announced that it has opened an Early Access Program for its new ThruPLEX^® Plasma-seq kit for the preparation of DNA libraries to analyze cell-free DNA found in plasma and other biofluids. ThruPLEX Plasma-seq is designed to detect biomarkers and genetic mutations using cell-free DNA liquid biopsies from blood, eliminating the need for invasive and costly tissue biopsies. These liquid biopsies are expected to transform cancer screening, diagnostics and treatment, enabling widespread adoption of precision and personalized medicine. Non-invasive prenatal screening and diagnostics based on circulating DNA can also benefit from the increased sensitivity of Plasma-seq. The ThruPLEX Plasma-seq kit is designed for Illumina^® next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms, and has been evaluated by researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and the Cancer Research UK (CRUK) in Cambridge, UK. 

Evaluations conducted at CRUK and the Karolinska validated the positive internal data generated by Rubicon's researchers. "The ThruPLEX Plasma-seq kit is the easiest to follow and has the most streamlined protocoland importantly, the fewest clean-up steps. In this trial, we were able to successfully make DNA libraries from just one nanogram of sample input," noted Dr. Charles Massie, researcher at the CRUK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, UK, who tested ThruPLEX Plasma-seq for genomic analyses for use in an upcoming cancer study.

ThruPLEX Plasma-seq produces highly reproducible NGS libraries from less than 1 ng up to 30 ng of cell-free DNA in plasma. The optimized repair and ligation chemistries and a modified protocol provide higher library diversity at low input amounts and broad and consistent GC (guanine-cytosine) coverage. ThruPLEX Plasma-seq has a simple and fast workflow, requiring only three steps in a single tube and two hours of time, with no purification or sample transfers. It is intended for use with plasma samples for applications including analysis of circulating tumor DNA using whole genome, whole exome and targeted gene sequencing, as well as for non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT).

"Precision medicine for cancer and other applications is an idea whose time has come, and no company is better positioned to contribute to its widespread adoption than Rubicon, where we have enhanced our leading DNA library preparation technology specifically for this rapidly emerging application," said Rubicon CEO James Koziarz, PhD. "Our original ThruPLEX kits were successfully used for proof-of-principle oncology research using plasma samples, but this new product provides even greater sensitivity and the capability to analyze cell-free DNA to identify cancer biomarkers, monitor disease evolution and assess response to treatment. Rubicon technology is already used in the fertility field, and we expect ThruPLEX Plasma-seq will facilitate detection of embryo abnormalities as part of non-invasive prenatal testing."

Interested researchers are encouraged to apply for the ThruPLEX Plasma-seq Early Access Program. Upon submission of a brief proposed evaluation plan, applicants will be given the opportunity to purchase and use the product at a significantly reduced price.  

Click here for more information on how to participate in Rubicon's ThruPLEX Plasma-seq Early Access Program.

About Rubicon Genomics

Rubicon Genomics, Inc. is a leader in the development and commercialization of innovative sample-specific nucleic acid library preparation products used in research and clinical testing on NGS, microarray and qPCR platforms. The company creates efficient molecular biology tools for genetic, epigenetic and expression analysis of difficult samples to facilitate gene-based research, drug development and diagnostics.  Privately-held Rubicon is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. For more information, visit rubicongenomics.com.

Contacts:
Rubicon Genomics
Jamie Wibbenmeyer, PhD
Business Development
jwibbenmeyer@rubicongenomics.com

Media
Barbara Lindheim
BLL Partners, LLC
(212) 584-2276 
blindheim@bllbiopartners.com

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SOURCE Rubicon Genomics, Inc.