|
Woburn, MA, May 15, 2007 - U.S. Genomics has been awarded an $8.6 million Phase III contract by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate to continue development of the Company's sophisticated biological sensor for biodefense applications. Under the 12-month Phase III contract under the Bioagent Autonomous Networked Detectors (BAND) program, U.S. Genomics will complete prototype development of its system for the detection and identification of airborne pathogens using its DNA mapping technology. The contract award follows the successful completion on May 15, 2007 of an 18-month, $16.2 million Phase II BAND contract. U.S. Genomics began working on the BAND program in April 2004 upon award of a $7.5 million Phase I contract.
“The award of the Phase III BAND contract continues to validate the considerable potential of U.S. Genomics' single molecule based DNA mapping technology for use as a biological sensor for defense applications. Further, it is an indication of the tremendous progress we are making in development of a deployable system to meet our country's critical biodefense needs,” said John J. Canepa, Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Genomics; “The resources provided under the third phase of this contract will allow us to build next generation prototypes. These prototypes will be used for demonstrating and testing the capabilities of our unique, proprietary approach to rapidly detect multiple bacterial pathogens, toxins and viruses simultaneously in an environmental sample using a single reagent set. U.S. Genomics continues to be excited about working with the outstanding team at The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate to deliver a biosensor which meets the program's mandate to improve the security of our citizens. Additionally, advancement of our DNA mapping technology under this contract has the potential to be developed for use in human diagnostics and military applications.”
U.S. Genomics' unique DNA mapping technology allows extremely precise "broadband" detection of airborne bacteria pathogens, toxins and viruses in an environmental sample. The technology's readings are sensitive to the single-molecule level and yield extremely low false positive rates. Using a universal reagent set that can detect and identify pathogens, the technology produces a genetic signature unique to each DNA fragment in the sample, and also identifies the organism from which the DNA originates. Unlike other detection technologies, U.S. Genomics' detection platform does not require amplification or the use of pathogen-specific reagents for detection of each threat organism. Additionally, U.S. Genomics' approach has the potential to identify genetically modified species, such as those that may have been deliberately engineered to elude traditional detection methods.
About U.S. Genomics, Inc.
U.S. Genomics is pioneering single molecule biology technologies for biodefense and diagnostics applications by combining advances in 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, human serum and other biologically relevant materials. The Company's biodefense focus on airborne pathogens has been funded in part by $35 million in contracts from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate. The company's Trilogy® platform enables the direct detection and analysis of individual molecules of DNA, RNA, and proteins without the need for amplification. U.S. Genomics' portfolio of products will further a greater understanding of genetics and disease pathways and will ultimately lead to more effective therapeutics, diagnostics, and biodefense applications. For more information, please visit http://www.usgenomics.com/.
At U.S. Genomics
John J. Canepa
Chief Executive Officer
781-939-6424
jcanepa@usgenomics.com
David L. Hoey
VP Business Development
(781) 939 - 6249
dhoey@usgenomics.com
Cambridge, MA 02142
Tel: (617) 231-2400
Fax: (617) 231-2425
82 Devonshire Street, EPC13A
Boston, MA 02109-3614
E-Mail: FidelityBiosciences@fmr.com
© 2010 Fidelity Biosciences. All rights reserved.