NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – After launching the "world's smallest" PCR-based diagnostic device less than two months ago, Spartan Bioscience this week announced the first official test on the system — a 30-minute cheek swab assay for mutations in the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene.

The target market for the research-use only test is pharmaceutical companies, to help focus and speed up Alzheimer's disease-related clinical trials, Spartan's CEO Paul Lem said in an interview.