NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – WaferGen BioSystems today said that it will collaborate with the Integrated BioBank of Luxembourg to co-develop molecular signatures for diagnostic research and commercial applications.
Fremont, Calif.-based WaferGen said that IBBL will purchase a SmartChip Real-Time PCR system and use it to discover and validate gene expression patterns. It added that the partners plan to file for approval in Europe of the molecular signatures.
In addition, they will pursue a research partnership in cancer and other areas of interest and will offer SmartChip Gene-Expression Profiling services in Europe using WaferGen's system.
WaferGen Chairman and CEO Alnoor Shivji said the alliance "enables WaferGen to access best-annotated patient samples for future diagnostic products. It also establishes a beach-head in Europe to unlock the short- and long-term revenue potential of the WaferGen SmartChip system."
The company also said that it will establish its European Headquarters at the IBBL facilities in the very near future.