OMAHA, Neb., April 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Transgenomic, Inc. (OTC/BB: TBIO) announced today that its President and Chief Executive Officer, Craig Tuttle, had presented the Company’s latest results with its ultra-sensitive DNA mutation detection technology, COLD-PCR at BIT Life Sciences’ 2nd World DNA and Genome Day Conference, April 25-30th, in Dalian, China. Nine Nobel Laureates were also giving presentations at this meeting.
US Congress designated April 25 as National DNA Day and the month April as Genome Month in celebration of the anniversary of James Watson and Francis Crick‘s publication of DNA Double Helix Structure.
“It is a great honor to be asked to present the latest developments of our cutting-edge technologies at such a prestigious event,” commented Craig Tuttle, Transgenomic’s Chief Executive Officer. The presentation was entitled “Ultra-sensitive DNA Mutation Detection: COLD-PCR Applied to Key Cancer Pathway Gene Mutations in Circulating Plasma DNA” and outlined Transgenomic’s most recent findings in COLD-PCR assay development. “Our latest results with COLD-PCR demonstrate that we can detect mutations in free circulating tumor DNA in plasma or serum despite the presence of a high background of non-tumor derived wild-type DNA. We believe that this method promises to enable routine, non-invasive screening of plasma or serum samples for early detection of cancer or monitoring of post-treatment remission, relapse or emergence of resistance to therapy.”
Tuttle also chaired the conference’s session “Breaking Research in Genomics and Diseases.”
About COLD-PCR
COLD-PCR is a genetic testing approach that selectively amplifies mutant DNA by recognizing that mutant DNA strands denature at lower temperatures in a PCR reaction than normal DNA. Using this proprietary technique, COLD-PCR amplifies mutated DNA with minimal amplification of the normal DNA. The resultant PCR-amplified fragment can be easily analyzed with a variety of sequencing approaches including Sanger sequencing, Pyrosequencing, real-time PCR or any next generation sequencing technology. Transgenomic has licensed rights to utilize any of these techniques. The enhanced analytic sensitivity of COLD-PCR allows clinicians to use smaller amounts of sample for their genetic analysis and less intrusive sample collection methods such as a blood draw for serum or plasma preparation, urine, fine needle aspirates or bronchial lavage as well as studying mutated DNA in tumors directly. The addition of the Ice COLD-PCR methodology further enhances the sensitivity.
About Transgenomic
Transgenomic, Inc. (www.transgenomic.com) is a global biotechnology company specializing in high sensitivity genetic variation and mutation analysis, providing products and services in DNA mutation detection and discovery for clinical research, clinical molecular diagnostics and pharmacogenomics analyses. Product offerings include the WAVE Systems and associated consumables specifically designed for use in genetic variation detection and single- and double-strand DNA/RNA analysis and purification. With broad applicability to genetic research, nearly 1,500 systems have been installed in customers’ labs in more than 50 countries. The SURVEYOR Mutation Detection Kits provide reagents and protocols for high sensitivity detection of mutations in DNA. HANABI automated chromosome harvesting systems improve laboratory productivity with consistent quality compared with manual methods for cytogenetic karyotyping and FISH analyses. Transgenomic Pharmacogenomics Services is a CRO for pharmacogenomic, translational research and clinical trials. The Transgenomic Molecular Laboratories specialize in molecular diagnostics for cardiology, neurology, mitochondrial disorders, oncology, hematology, molecular pathology and other inherited diseases. Transgenomic believes there is a significant opportunity to continue growing the demand for its molecular-based testing by leveraging core technologies, experience, and expertise in biomarker analysis. In addition, the company continues to seek out and evaluate new technologies and new tests to extend its offerings in molecular diagnostics and pharmacogenomics services.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” of Transgenomic within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those with respect to management’s current views and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results, including the ability of the Company to grow its involvement in the diagnostic products and services markets. The known risks, uncertainties and other factors affecting these forward-looking statements are described from time to time in Transgenomic’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any change in such factors, risks and uncertainties may cause the actual results, events and performance to differ materially from those referred to in such statements. Accordingly, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to all statements contained in this press release. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release and Transgenomic does not undertake any duty to update this information, including any forward-looking statements, unless required by law.
© 2011 Transgenomic, Inc. “TRANSGENOMIC,” “WAVE” and “SURVEYOR” are registered trademarks of Transgenomic, Inc.
SOURCE Transgenomic, Inc.
