TOKYO and MADISON, Wis., March 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Shimadzu Corp., Toppan Printing Co. Ltd. and Third Wave Technologies Inc. today announced that the companies have signed an agreement for the development and commercialization of a point-of-care instrument that could bring molecular diagnostics to the doctor’s office.
The new instrument is roughly the size of a desktop computer and is expected to be the world’s first fully-automated system for nucleic acid analysis that can easily be used at the point of care. It is capable of analyzing a patient’s DNA for specific gene sequences from a drop of whole blood in approximately 90 minutes. Shimadzu and Toppan developed the instrument in partnership with Dr. Yusuke Nakamura of the RIKEN Institute/University of Tokyo, one of the world’s foremost genetic researchers. It employs his novel polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, multiplexing know-how, Shimadzu’s AmpDirect reagents for performing PCR on whole blood, and Toppan’s consumable chip platform. Under the agreement announced today, the companies will apply Third Wave’s Invader(R) chemistry to the instrument for detection of variations in cytochrome P450 genes that can cause adverse drug reactions.
The companies anticipate commercializing a research-use-only, or RUO, version of the instrument before the end of 2006. Third Wave has exclusive marketing rights for the instrument in the United States, Canada and Europe, and will determine if U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance or approval is required prior to commercialization in the United States. Shimadzu and Toppan have exclusive marketing rights for the rest of the world. Third Wave will be the exclusive worldwide supplier of Invader(R) reagents for the instrument.
“My academic team’s commitment has been to lay the scientific groundwork for improving health and wellness through understanding the genetic foundations of disease and drug response,” Dr. Nakamura said. “It is a pleasure to see that our discoveries may make a real impact on patients’ quality of life. In our lab, the three companies’ technologies worked extremely well together and the resulting instrument should be very accurate and easy to use.”
“This combination of leading technologies in nucleic acid chemistry, instrumentation and chip design offers significant advantages in bringing genetic analysis closer to patients and doctors,” said Shigehiko Hattori, president and chief executive of Shimadzu Corp. “Together with its partners, Shimadzu is committed to realizing this concept by bringing to bear its significant expertise in instrument development.”
“The Invader(R) chemistry is a promising technology and the joint development and commercialization agreement with Third Wave and Shimadzu will expand the market opportunity for Toppan,” said Hideaki Kawai, chief technology officer of Toppan. “We hope that the chemistry, instrument and chip set will become a world standard for molecular diagnostics.”
“Third Wave is very pleased to be continuing our relationship with Dr. Nakamura and partnering with the world-class Shimadzu and Toppan organizations,” said Kevin T. Conroy, president and chief executive of Third Wave. “We believe the development and commercialization of this innovative, new instrument will further enable the growth of personalized medicine by facilitating expanded access to and distribution of Third Wave’s Invader(R) chemistry.”
About Shimadzu Corporation
Shimadzu is a world leader in the design and production of specialized systems. From the electron microscopes that support nanotechnology to the component analysis instruments used in product development and scientific research, Shimadzu provides systems to enable high-precision analysis and measurement for chromatography (HPLC, LCMS, GC, GCMS), spectroscopy (UV-VIS, FTIR, NIR, RF, AAS), environmental analysis (TOC, TN), balances (semi-micro, analytical, precision, portables, and platform balances) and biotechnology. Shimadzu Biotech is a business unit of Shimadzu Corporation. It has been created to unite a strong solutions-based offering and accelerate the progress of biotechnology research and development. Shimadzu Biotech captures, within one dedicated organization, the best expertise and technology from within Shimadzu Corporation and its subsidiary, Kratos Analytical. Information about Shimadzu Corporation is available at http://www.shimadzu.com.
About Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.
Since its foundation in 1900 as one of the leading total printing companies in the world, Toppan provides business in eight fields: securities and cards, commercial printing, publications printing, packaging, industrial materials, electronics, e-business and optronics. These businesses will be integrated into three divisions: “Information & Networks,” “Living Environment” and “Electronics.” The company also plans to advance “Personal Service” systems and “Next Generation” systems, followed by an “Information Communication” business. The Next Generation systems focus on the life sciences field, including the development of protein chips and DNA chips by electrochemical screening. Especially in this field, Toppan expects to contribute to society and promote new businesses that include fusion with existing business such as developing packages for medical products with high value. For more information about Toppan Printing Co., Ltd., please visit http://www.toppan.com.
About Third Wave Technologies
Third Wave develops and markets molecular diagnostic reagents for a variety of DNA and RNA analysis applications to meet the needs of our customers. The company offers a number of products based on its Invader(R) chemistry for clinical testing. Third Wave offers in vitro diagnostic kits, and analyte specific, general purpose and research use only reagents for nucleic acid analysis. For more information about Third Wave and its products, please visit the company’s website at http://www.twt.com.
All statements in this news release that are not historical are forward- looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended. Such forward-looking statements are subject to factors that could cause actual results to differ materially for Third Wave from those projected. Those factors include risks and uncertainties relating to technological approaches of Third Wave and its competitors, product development, manufacturing, market acceptance, cost and pricing of Third Wave products, dependence on collaborative partners and commercial customers, successful performance under collaborative and commercial agreements, competition, the strength of the Third Wave intellectual property, the intellectual property of others and other risk factors identified in the documents Third Wave has filed, or will file, with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of the Third Wave filings with the SEC may be obtained from the SEC Internet site at http://www.sec.gov . Third Wave expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward- looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Third Wave’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statements are based. Third Wave Technologies, Invader and the Third Wave logo are trademarks of Third Wave Technologies, Inc.
Third Wave Technologies
CONTACT: Rod Hise of Third Wave Technologies, +1-608-663-4010
