NEN, Orchid Biocomputer Advance Primer Extension Genotyping for Pharmacogenomics
Under the collaboration, Orchid will have exclusive right to use NEN's proprietary labeling and detection products in their reagent kits called SNPware. Orchid is marketing these kits as part of its SNPstream automated genotyping product line. NEN and Orchid will also partner to develop advances in GBA chemistry. NEN has made an equity investment in Orchid as part of the collaboration.
SNPstream unites the accuracy of primer extension with high throughput automation. SNPstream is designed to process twenty-five plates per day, continuously, in three shifts for an unprecedented throughput of 30,000 genotypes per day.
SNP genotyping is one of the hottest areas of drug discovery and clinical genetics today. During discovery they can help predict the variability of clinical response to a drug. In clinical settings, SNPs could help avoid the tens of thousands of fatal adverse drug reactions by screening patients for such reactions before they are given a drug.
Orchid has commercialized primer extension genotyping under the name of Genetic Bit Analysis (GBA). The reagents enabling Orchid's GBA technology are based on NEN's patented labeling and detection reagents. The labeled terminators developed at NEN were designed specifically for GBA.
The Orchid collaboration, which focuses on pharmacogenomics, underscores NEN's strategy to provide complete reagents, platforms, and systems for use in rapidly growing functional genomics markets. It also exploits NEN's recognized expertise in developing and commercializing microplate-based drug screening and protein assays for high-throughput screening. Both companies believe their alliance will help customers validate gene targets more rapidly.
"NEN's labeling and detection products, the gold standard in the life sciences industry, are a key component of Orchid's products and services," said Russell Granzow, Orchid's senior director of business development and marketing. "Not only has NEN long been recognized as a leader in the area of this type of chemistry, but they have worked with our primer extension genotyping technology since the early 1990s. These competitive advantages will allow us to quickly achieve our high-volume manufacturing goals and very cost competitive products."
Jeff Neumann, VPt of NEN Corporate Development, commented, "Rapidly and precisely scoring millions of samples annually for hundreds to thousands of SNPs is a demanding process that is urgently needed in the field of pharmacogenomics. NEN views Orchid¹s GBA approach as the method of choice, and is eager to continue its participation in the widespread adoption of GBA technology. Together, NEN and Orchid can offer a more complete platform for rapid, high-volume scoring of SNPs in pharmaceutical research applications."
About the Companies
Orchid Biocomputer, Inc. was founded in 1995 to develop and commercialize microfabricated systems for chemistry and the biosciences. By leveraging computer chip design technologies, Orchid has developed several ultra high-throughput microfluidic platform technologies capable of transforming high-throughput chemical synthesis, biochemical assays, SNP scoring, and other DNA and pharmacogenetic analyses into effective tools for drug discovery and clinical diagnostics.
NEN is a provider of labeling and detection technology for the functional genomics, drug discovery, high throughput screening, and pharmacogenomics markets. NEN has facilities in Boston; Billerica, MA; Brussels, Belgium; and Montreal.
For more information: Russell Granzow, Sr. Director, Business Development, Orchid Biocomputer, 303 College Road East, Princeton, NJ 08540. Tel: 609-750-2200. Fax: 609-750-2250.
By Angelo DePalma