Xceed Molecular to Launch New Inflammation Xpress Chip(TM)for the Ziplex(R) Automated Gene-Expression Analysis System at Clinical Lab Expo 2008, Booth 2155
WASHINGTON and WELLESLEY, Mass., July 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Xceed Molecular, a pioneer in the development of cost-effective, easy-to-use gene-expression analysis systems, will launch its new Inflammation Xpress Chip, a pre-configured array for use with the company's Ziplex automated gene-expression analysis system, at the 2008 AACC/ASCLS Clinical Lab Expo (booth 2155). The Clinical Lab Expo opens today at Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC.
"With our expanding portfolio of Xpress Chips, Xceed is creating another building block to accelerate the development of novel multiplex tests," said Xceed President and CEO David Deems. "Inflammation is a complex biological response to a wide range of tissue injuries, harmful pathogens, and disorders. This response is usually associated with increased levels of cytokines, cytokine receptors, adhesion molecules, and other immuno-regulatory factors. Our Inflammation Xpress Chip is a powerful tool to enable investigators to discover and characterize molecular profiles associated with inflammatory responses, to study the effects of therapeutics in mitigating immune responses, and to study auto-immune diseases in general. Expression changes in specific genes and pathways represented on the Inflammation Xpress Chip may help in monitoring patient responses to therapy or in predicting the ability of a therapeutic (e.g. Methotrexate, a TNF-alpha inhibitor, or a novel monoclonal antibody-based compound) to block disease-related inflammation events. The Inflammation Xpress Chip gene list was identified from scientific reports of genes differentially expressed in common inflammatory conditions.
At the core of the Ziplex System is the TipChip - a single-use disposable device consisting of a square Flow-Thru Chip(R) mounted to a polycarbonate tube. Unlike two-dimensional arrays, the unique 3D Flow-Thru Chip design enables active transport of targets to probes. Molecular interactions occur within the three-dimensional matrix of these channels as target solutions pass through. The chip is made of porous silicon with microchannels that extend from the upper to the lower surface of the chip. Capture reagents are attached to the walls of distinct groups of microchannels ("spots") and target molecules are captured as sample flows through the channels. Multiple capture reagents are deposited in a grid to permit parallel analysis of up to 484 spots per chip ("features"). This approach facilitates the interaction between target molecules and immobilized probes, resulting in hybridization times that are three- to four-times faster.
Xceed offers two types of TipChips - preconfigured (Xpress Chips) and custom (Autograph Chips(TM)). Xceed's preconfigured Xpress Chips (like the new Inflammation Xpress Chip) contain published genes of interest for common pathways or disease processes. They provide a ready-made solution, for research only, to assess specific transcript profiles. Xceed offers several preconfigured arrays. Xceed's Metabolic Xpress Chip offers genes of interest for investigators exploring metabolic pathways and can be used to investigate differential expression associated with diseases of the metabolic system, such as obesity, muscle disorders, and other metabolic disorders. Xceed also offers the Breast and Colon Cancer Xpress Chips, and we have a number of other TipChip arrays in development for a range of cancers, including prostate, lung, and melanoma. Xceed manufactures custom Autograph Chips with the customer's specific gene signatures of interest. Each array is ideal for focused disease biomarkers comprising up to 120 genes, allowing for three replicates per probe. Focused content allows cost-effective analysis of relevant markers in disease-process research investigations.
About Xceed Molecular (www.XceedMolecular.com)
Xceed's vision is to advance molecular diagnostics by successfully translating novel multiplex tests into routine clinical practice and to create robust diagnostic solutions to improve disease outcomes. Our products comprise the Ziplex(R) System for automated gene-expression analysis (available in the US and Canada for research use only), gene expression services, and pre-configured arrays - Xpress Chips. Xceed is also developing multiplexed genomic tests for the Ziplex platform, both internally and with strategic partners. Xceed's R&D and manufacturing are headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, with executive offices in Wellesley, Massachusetts.
CONTACT: Media: Caroline Grossmam, +1-781-771-5579, or
caroline.grossman@gmail.com, for Xceed Molecular; or Company: Susan Josey
of Xceed Molecular, +1-972-317-8948, or sjosey@xceedmolecular.com
Web site: http://www.xceedmolecular.com/