FREMONT, Calif. and SAN CARLOS, Calif., March 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — WaferGen Biosystems, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: WGBS), a leading developer of state-of-the-art genomic analysis systems, and NuGEN Technologies, Inc., a leader in innovative genomic samples preparation, today announced they will co-develop and co-market simple, seamlessly integrated workflows for gene expression profiling and target enrichment to enable researchers to more easily achieve high-throughput, high-density real-time PCR with small, degraded, and hard-to-replace clinical specimens, such as formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue (FFPE).
Under the collaborative relationship, the two companies will conduct joint product development projects to construct validated workflows with both NuGEN’s proprietary sample preparation and isothermal linear amplification (SPIA®) products and the WaferGen SmartChip Real-Time PCR System. The projects will focus on solutions for sample preparation, preamplification, and nucleic acid detection for gene expression and target enrichment from various sample types to drive speed and simplicity.
“By combining the expertise of both companies, we can offer a simple and straightforward workflow solution for single cell analysis, archival tissues and next generation sequencing addressing the needs of customers with precious nucleic acid samples who wish to perform high-throughput, high-density real-time PCR,” said Alnoor Shivji, Chairman and CEO of WaferGen. ”This will expand the market potential of our SmartChip System by offering ready-to-go applications for biomarker discovery, validation and screening.”
“NuGEN’s unique sample preparation solution integrated with WaferGen’s SmartChip System is clearly synergistic,” said Elizabeth Hutt, CEO of NuGEN Technologies. ”NuGEN’s expertise in solving the challenges associated with clinical samples, such as formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues or fine needle aspirates, will be leveraged in a simple workflow from sample to analysis expediting disease research and clinical applications.”
About NuGEN
NuGEN Technologies, Inc. provides revolutionary RNA and DNA sample preparation technologies that enable life scientists to do more with less. With innovative reagent solutions that are quick and easy to use, NuGEN empowers researchers to prepare genomic samples of any size, from almost any source, regardless of the intended application or technology platform. Committed to advancing the life sciences, NuGEN ensures robust and reproducible results for researchers seeking to predict disease risk and drug response, potentially shortening the path to treatment. For more information, please visit www.nugeninc.com.
About WaferGen and the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System
WaferGen Biosystems, Inc. is a leader in the development, manufacture and sale of state-of-the-art systems for genomic analysis for the life science and pharmaceutical industries. The company currently offers the breakthrough SmartChip Real-Time PCR System, the next-generation Real-Time PCR system for discovery and validation of biomarkers, or gene expression patterns, on a single platform. WaferGen believes that the SmartChip System is ideal for researchers seeking to confirm discoveries made with the growing use of next-generation sequencing. In addition, the high throughput capabilities of the SmartChip System enable researchers to extend their research across large panels of genes, and hundreds of samples, at a very reasonable cost.
Combined with next-generation chemistry and optimized assays being developed by WaferGen under the guidance of David Gelfand, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer and one of the pioneers of PCR, the SmartChip System is designed to provide accurate, highly sensitive and high-throughput gene expression profiling capabilities to researchers, clinicians and pharmaceutical companies.
In addition, the company offers an innovative fee-based service for gene-expression profiling using the SmartChip System. For additional information, please see http://www.wafergen.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements”. Such statements include statements relating to the expected benefits and advantages of the integrated NuGEN and WaferGen products, including with respect to the market potential of the SmartChip System, statements relating to the expected benefits to NuGEN and WaferGen of the projects to be conducted by the two companies, statements relating to the expected benefits and advantages of the SmartChip service for gene-expression research, statements relating to the expected benefits and advantages of the SmartChip technology to other applications, statements relating to the expected throughput levels of the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System, and other statements relating to future events that are not historical facts, including statements which may be preceded by the words “intends,” “may,” “will,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “estimates,” “aims,” “believes,” “hopes,” “potential” or similar words.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, are based on certain assumptions and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the company. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations contained in the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such differences include the risks that: (i) the company may be unsuccessful in commercially developing its products or in achieving market acceptance of new and relatively unproven technologies; (ii) the company will need to raise additional capital to meet its business requirements in the future and the company may not be able to do so on reasonable terms or at all; (iii) the company’s proprietary intellectual property rights may not adequately protect its products and technologies; and (iv) the company expects intense competition in its target markets, including from companies that have much greater resources than the company, and there can be no assurance that the company will be able to compete effectively. More detailed information about the company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and the most recent Form 10-Q. Investors and security holders are urged to read this document free of charge on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. The company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contact:
WaferGen 510-651-4450
Don Huffman, CFO don.huffman@wafergen.com
Joyce Strand joyce.strand@wafergen.com
NuGEN 650-590-3629 Rona De Marco media@NuGENInc.com SOURCE WaferGen Biosystems, Inc.
