DNA Sciences and AP Biotech developing next generation of DNA sequencers

DNA Sciences Inc. (Fremont, CA) and Amersham Biosciences (APBiotech; Piscataway, NJ) together are developing microchannel chip technology for the automated, high-throughput analysis of nucleic acids. This platform could be the next generation of DNA analysis technology, following the current generation, based on capillary electrophoresis, which was introduced by APBiotech to the market in 1998.

The two companies will combine their expertise and intellectual property in microfabrication, engineering, reagent and applications development, and production scale sample processing to develop a robust high throughput system to be marketed exclusively by APBiotech to the life sciences and diagnostic markets. DNA Sciences will be paid licensing fees and will collect royalties from future product sales.

APBiotech's capillary sequencing system, MegaBACE enables high throughput sequencing such as that of the human genome. This new platform, developed with DNA Sciences' chip technology, could further cut time and cost in DNA analysis through miniaturization, speed and automation.

"We are committed to collaborative approaches that enable APBiotech to introduce innovative technologies that help customers to accelerate their research and discovery," said Dennis Harris, vice president of technology at APBiotech. "Both companies have made progress independently in developing aspects of this novel technology. Joining our technological expertise and increasing development resources through this agreement will help us maximize the development of this platform for commercial applications."

"This collaboration with APBiotech enables DNA Sciences to focus on strengthening our core genetics discovery effort to develop and commercialize clinical tests and therapeutics. We will receive value for our considerable investment in developing the technology and ensure that we gain early access to this technology," said Hugh Rienhoff Jr., chairman and CEO at DNA Sciences. "We are pleased to engage in this collaboration with APBiotech and look forward to using the new platform for our own discovery efforts in the near future."

APBiotech, the life sciences business of Nycomed Amersham plc, is a provider of biotechnology systems, products, and services for research into genes and proteins, for the discovery and development of drugs and for the manufacture of biopharmaceuticals. The customers for APBiotech's products and technology are pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and research and academic institutions in North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia. For more information on APBiotech's products and services, visit the company's storefront on Bioresearch Online.

DNA Sciences Inc. is focused on identifying the genetic basis of disease susceptibility, disease progression, and response to drug treatment. The company was founded in May 1998.

Source: DNA Sciences Inc.

With contributions from Laura DeFrancesco
Managing Editor, Bioresearch Online
Email: ldefrancesco@verticalnet.com