U.S. Genomics Inc. Receives $4.5 Million Investment from BD

WOBURN, Mass. , Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Genomics today announced it has received a $4.5 million equity investment from BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) and that the companies have entered into a strategic collaboration for development of a novel infectious disease diagnostic platform. The collaboration will focus on application of U.S. Genomics' DirectLinear Analysis(TM) technology (DLA) for the detection of a wide range of infectious organisms in a single molecular diagnostic test. A diagnostic platform based on DLA has the potential to provide information to physicians concerning pathogen identity, virulence and drug resistance within hours, as opposed to the multi-day techniques such as culturing, plating, and staining that are done today.

U.S. Genomics has invested in excess of $50 million in DLA technology, which integrates novel labeling strategies, advanced microfluidics and optical engineering to enable pathogens to be identified by rapidly analyzing individual DNA molecules present in a clinical sample. The technology is capable of simultaneously detecting a broad range of infectious organisms in a single diagnostic test. A diagnostic test based on DLA has the potential to provide clinicians and doctors' information important for patient health, such as which drugs a specific pathogen may be resistant to, and which drugs could be used for most effective patient treatment.

"We are very pleased to enter into this strategic relationship with BD," said John J. Canepa , U.S. Genomics' CEO. "BD is the clear market leader in clinical microbiology and their deep experience in product development is an ideal complement to our innovative DLA technology and strong research team. We share the goal of establishing a new, faster, more accurate capability for microbial diagnostics, based on genotype, leading to more effective patient treatment and better outcomes."

DLA technology, developed with support from venture capital investors, NSF, DARPA, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), also has the potential to be applied in applications such as patient screening, hospital monitoring, epidemiology and forensics. U.S. Genomics currently has an extremely sensitive and accurate sensor for detection of biological threats in development under the DHS Bioagent Autonomous Network Detector program. Similar precision is required in hospital settings, where regulations may restrict reimbursement for costs associated with certain infections that occur as a result of hospital procedures. DLA has the potential to rapidly and accurately resolve whether a patient who became sick during a hospital stay was infected with a known hospital-based organism, or a strain not previously seen.

"We see tremendous potential for application of DLA technology," Canepa continued. "Working closely with BD on this collaboration, we plan to prioritize development efforts toward the multi-billion dollar infectious disease testing market. Further, the flexibility of the DLA technology to address a wide range of sample types creates future opportunities for U.S. Genomics to expand into significant new application areas, such as bio- security, bio-surveillance, and environmental and food safety testing."

About U.S. Genomics, Inc.

U.S. Genomics is pioneering single molecule biology technologies for diagnostics and biodefense applications by combining advanced microfluidics, optical engineering, and novel labeling strategies. Using its DNA mapping technology, the Company is developing sophisticated biological sensors for the detection and identification of pathogens and biomarkers in the air and other biologically relevant materials. The Company's biodefense focus on airborne pathogens has been funded in part by contracts from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate. U.S. Genomics' portfolio of products will further a greater understanding of genetics and disease pathways leading to more effective use of therapeutics, and a range of diagnostics, and biodefense applications. For more information, please visit www.usgenomics.com

SOURCE U.S. Genomics