Affymetrix, PathGEN Dx sign deal for pathogen detection kit

Singapore: Affymetrix and PathGEN Dx, a spin-off molecular diagnostics company founded by researchers from the Genome Institute of Singapore, have signed a Powered by AffymetrixTM (PbA) program agreement. Under this PbA agreement, PathGEN Dx will develop an in-vitro diagnostic kit for comprehensive pathogen detection using their PathGEN PathChip, which is based on a patented, efficient, and accurate microarray-based protocol and analysis method.

The kit will comprise of PathGEN Dx's proprietary reagents, an automated software package, and a contract manufactured GeneChip microarray from Affymetrix. It will detect the presence of more than 70,000 viral and bacterial genomes from a wide variety of human samples, annotate the genomic information, and identify co-infecting pathogens.

Dr Martin Hibberd, co-founder, PathGEN Dx, said, "This will be the start of our development plan for a diagnostic microarray that we feel will ultimately help medical researchers and surveillance investigators identify the full range of viruses and bacteria in their samples."

"We are very proud that PathGEN Dx, the first spin-off from GIS, has achieved this collaboration that will significantly advance their reach to the clinical diagnostics global market. The journey first began in 2004 as a project in GIS, and then funded by Exploit Technologies in 2008 to clinically validate, productize, and develop the business strategy. This is an exciting next phase in PathGEN DX's entrepreneurial journey and we look forward to greater success," said Mr Philip Lim, CEO, Exploit Technologies, A*STAR's technology transfer arm.

Dr Christopher Wong, co-founder, PathGEN Dx, added "We are pleased to join the ranks of other PbA Program partners, such as Roche Diagnostics and Pathwork Diagnostics in adopting the Affymetrix technology in our IVD product development program."