Color Genomics Chooses Kapa Biosystems Solution For An Efficient NGS Library Platform

WILMINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kapa Biosystems today announced that Color Genomics, a leader in affordable genetic risk testing for breast and ovarian cancer, has implemented Kapa’s high-performance library construction reagents into its NGS workflow. The reagents provide a fully automatable, streamlined process, saving time and allowing Color to return results faster to healthcare providers.

“Supporting customers like this is why our team is so dedicated to developing products that expand the pool of samples that can be processed with high and predictable success rates in shorter turnaround times.”

Color Genomics offers a clinical-grade, physician-ordered genetic test for 19 genes related to breast and ovarian cancer risk, including BRCA1 and BRCA2. This laboratory-developed test ¹ (LDT) is run in a CAP-accredited and CLIA-certified lab and costs a fraction of other NGS-based tests for hereditary cancer. After rigorous evaluation and validation, the company selected library construction kits from Kapa, which uses a proprietary directed-evolution platform to engineer enzymes for optimal performance in NGS sample preparation. Color Genomics has implemented the KAPA² HyperPlus Kit, which eliminates mechanical shearing and performs enzymatic DNA fragmentation and library preparation in a single tube to save time and generate high-quality results — particularly from low-input and challenging samples.

“Our mission is to democratize access to high-quality genetic testing,” said Dianne Keen-Kim, PhD, FACMG, Lab Director at Color Genomics. “Combining the rapid library preparation technology developed by Kapa with Agilent’s robust SureSelect Target Enrichment technology has allowed our team to deliver reliable answers faster while meeting the very strict cost requirements that keep our test affordable.”

KAPA HyperPlus Kits offer a unique combination of high-efficiency library construction and low amplification bias to improve the depth and uniformity of sequencing coverage. This enhances coverage across target regions and contributes to lower sequencing costs.

“We’re delighted that our innovative sample prep reagents were selected by Color Genomics,” said Maryke Appel, PhD., Technical Director at Kapa Biosystems. “Supporting customers like this is why our team is so dedicated to developing products that expand the pool of samples that can be processed with high and predictable success rates in shorter turnaround times.”

For more information, please visit www.getcolor.com and www.kapabiosystems.com.

About Color Genomics

Founded in July 2013, Color Genomics’ goal is to democratize access to genetic information. The Color Test is physician ordered, analyzes 19-genes closely associated with breast and ovarian cancer including BRCA1 and BRCA2, and offers complimentary board-certified genetic counseling for clients and healthcare providers. Headquartered in Burlingame, CA, Color Genomics is privately held and backed by Khosla Ventures, Formation 8 and several leading angel investors. To learn more about Color, follow Color on Twitter @ColorGenomics or Facebook at facebook.com/ColorGenomics and visit getcolor.com.

About Kapa Biosystems

Kapa Biosystems is a life science reagents supplier that employs proprietary, directed-evolution technologies to optimize enzymes for next-generation sequencing (NGS), PCR, and real-time PCR applications. Kapa Biosystems offers a portfolio of high-quality products containing novel enzymes that can confer significant performance advantages when compared to traditional wild-type enzymes. The company is based in Wilmington, Massachusetts, with a research, development, and manufacturing facility in Cape Town, South Africa. Kapa Biosystems was acquired by Roche in December 2015. For more information, please visit www.kapabiosystems.com.

¹ Color Genomics is a CLIA certified and CAP accredited clinical laboratory that offers a laboratory developed test (LDT). As with other laboratory-developed tests, this test service has not been cleared or approved by the US FDA.

² KAPA is a trademark of Kapa Biosystems. Kapa Biosystems’ products are for Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.