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In Brief This Week: Qiagen, Clinical Genomics, Streck, Oxford Genetics, Isohelix

NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – Qiagen and Clinical Genomics announced a partnership to use the PAXGene Blood ccfDNA Tube for collection and handling of blood samples in Clinical Genomics' Colvera colorectal cancer recurrence assay workflow. The PAXGene Blood ccfDNA system was developed by PreAnalytix, a Qiagen/Becton Dickinson joint venture. Colvera is a PCR-based assay that detects hypermethylated BCAT1 and IKZF1 DNA in the blood of patients. Qiagen and Clinical Genomics said that they have demonstrated that assay performance using the PAXGene product is equivalent to its performance using blood samples collected in EDTA tubes, spun down to plasma, and frozen within eight hours of collection.


Streck announced that it inked an agreement with TK Biotech, a distributor of molecular biology and biotech-assisted reproduction products in Poland. Under the terms of the agreement, TK Biotech has distribution access to Streck’s portfolio of controls, cell stabilization, and molecular products.Streck’s cell stabilization products include its Cyto-Chex BCT blood collection tube for the preservation of whole blood specimens for immunophenotyping by flow cytometry, among other products. Its molecular product line includes the Arm-D Kits for the detection of antibiotic-resistance genes by multiplex real-time PCR, and a rapid real-time PCR instrument, the Zulu RT, which it expects to soon launch. Financial and other terms of the deal were not disclosed.


Oxford Genetics said this week that its has received a £7.5 million ($9.6 million) investment from Mercia Technologies, an existing investor, and Invesco Perpetual. The company said it will use the money to fund a new office in Boston and a 6,000-square-foot extension of its UK facility at the Oxford Science Park. The extension will include cell line engineering capabilities, viral vector production and purification suites, high-throughput robotic screening systems, and process development facilities. The company also plans to invest in its research and development capabilities to increase its intellectual property portfolio and support the growth of its of technology-enabled licensing business.


UK-based firm Isohelix said that its range of DNA buccal swabs are now registered with the China Food and Drug Administration. Isohelix said that the registration process included rigorous and exhaustive checks covering risk analysis, manufacturing specifications, technical product performance, and quality control processes. Isohelix manufactures DNA and RNA collection devices for saliva and buccal cells, together with kits for stabilization and extraction of high-purity DNA for research and medical purposes. The company also recently registered its range of GeneFiX DNA saliva collectors with the CFDA as certified IVD medical devices.


In Brief This Week is a selection of news items that may be of interest to our readers but had not previously appeared on the GenomeWeb site.