Orchid’s Cellmark to Perform Forensic DNA Tests for Texas Police Department
Orchid BioSciences’ Cellmark unit will analyze DNA for the Houston Police Department.
Orchid won the three-year contract after the Houston Police Department closed its own DNA-analysis unit, which “failed to maintain certain standards needed to ensure the accuracy of its DNA testing,” according to Orchid.
Orchid will conduct forensic DNA analysis for new cases as well as retesting for prior cases. The contract is potentially renewable for an additional two years.
Beckman Q2 Revenue Grew, Though SNP Arm Shriveled
Beckman Coulter said that total revenue for the period ended June 30 increased to $551.8 million from $516.1 million one year ago. Receipts from SNP-genotyping instruments, acquired from Orchid Biosciences last December, fell more than 10 percent in the quarter to $39.2 million year over year, Beckman said.
Second-quarter R&D spending increased to $48 million from $47.8 million during the same period one year ago. As a result, net income in the quarter grew to $52.2 million, or $.82 per share, from $41.9 million, or $.64 per share, for the same quarter 2002. Beckman said it had around $66.6 million in cash and cash equivalents as of June 30.
Aclara BioSciences Q2 Revenues Drop
Aclara BioSciences said that second-quarter revenues fell to $405,000 from $673,000 for the same period one year ago.
Second-quarter R&D spending also fell, to $4.1 million from $6.6 million year over year. The company said it saved $3.8 million in the quarter after reorganizing its microfluidics programs, restructuring the company, and renewing a focus on its eTag Assay product line.
As a result, net loss shrank to $5.1 million, or $.14 per share, from $9.9 million, or $.27 per share, for the second quarter 2002.Aclara said it had around $73.6 million in cash, cash as of June 30.