U.S. Genomics Recognized for Outstanding Entrepreneurship by the National Science Foundation
WOBURN, Mass., June 12 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Genomics Inc., a pioneer of single molecule biology technologies for the biodefense and life sciences industries, has been recognized by the NSF for outstanding entrepreneurship at its May NSF SBIR /STTR (Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer) Phase II Grantee Conference.
In July 2002, U.S. Genomics was awarded a Phase I SBIR grant to create genomic maps by tagging and stretching individual DNA molecules. During the Phase I project, U.S. Genomics achieved fundamental research milestones by mapping long DNA molecules and substantially increasing the throughput and accuracy of its mapping technology. In August 2003, the Company was awarded the follow-on Phase II SBIR grant. As part of the Phase II project, researchers at U.S. Genomics further enhanced the capabilities of its DNA mapping platform. Due to these results and support from interested third party the Company was awarded a Phase IIB supplement in July 2005 which doubled the size of the overall grant and was critical to the success of the this technology.
Results from the SBIR funded work provided critical data to support U.S. Genomics' proposal to apply single molecule technology to the detection of biological threats. This resulted in $33.2 million of funding being provided to U.S. Genomics by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate for development of a biosensor under the Bioagent Autonomous Networked Detector (BAND) program. U.S. Genomics' system is now in the prototyping phase.
"The NSF SBIR grants gave U.S. Genomics the opportunity to research and test new ideas that had potential for commercialization, but which were at a stage of development which made significant venture capital funding difficult. Peer review and the NSF funding for proof-of-principle experiments provided a bridge to secure funding for the further development of these technologies." said John J. Canepa, U.S. Genomics President and CEO.
About SIQUMB Technology
Development of SIQUMB was funded by this NSF grant as further commercialization of DNA mapping. It is intended for analysis of numerous substances in complex mixtures with almost unlimited multiplexing and single molecule sensitivity. This technology uses DNA not as an object of study, but as a reagent, known as Digital DNA(TM). Digital DNA(TM) is labeled with identity tags and is specific to a particular captured molecule of interest. Using the Company's DNA mapping technology, researchers can count and analyze individual barcodes of identified molecules. This technology is valuable for a number of applications in complex mixtures, from the identification of pathogens to the analysis of various markers in diagnostic situations.
About The National Science Foundation (NSF)
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering, with an annual budget of $5.91 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 1,700 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 40,000 competitive requests for funding, and makes nearly 10,000 new funding awards. The NSF also awards over $400 million in professional and service contracts yearly. Its SBIR/STTR program was the first in the nation and is tasked with leveraging federal dollars to stimulate research at small business to bring new technologies to the market. www.nsf.gov.
About U.S. Genomics, Inc.
U.S. Genomics is pioneering single molecule biology technologies for biodefense and diagnostics applications by combining advances in microfluidics, optical engineering, and novel labeling strategies. Using its DNA mapping technology, the Company is developing sophisticated biological sensors for the detection and identification of pathogens and biomarkers in the air, human serum and other biologically relevant materials. The Company's biodefense focus on airborne pathogens has been funded in part by $35 million in contracts from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The company's Trilogy(R) platform enables the direct detection and analysis of individual molecules of DNA, RNA, and proteins without the need for amplification. U.S. Genomics' portfolio of products will further a greater understanding of genetics and disease pathways and will ultimately lead to more effective therapeutics, diagnostics, and biodefense applications. For more information, please visit www.usgenomics.com.
U.S. Genomics, Inc.CONTACT: John Canepa, President and CEO of U.S. Genomics, +1-781-939-6424,jcanepa@usgenomics.com; or Joshua Chamot, Media Officer for Engineering,Mathematics and Physical Sciences, of The National Science Foundation,+1-703-292-7730, jchamot@nsf.gov