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Spartan Bioscience announces new agreement with NorDiag ASA

Joint offering to provide fast, affordable, end-to-end DNA preparation and analysis

Ottawa, ON, October 29, 2008 – Spartan Bioscience Inc., a Canadian molecular diagnostics company that develops, manufactures, and markets DNA analyzers for on-demand applications, and NorDiag ASA, a Norwegian biotechnology company that develops, manufacturers and markets automated nucleic acid sample preparation instruments and magnetic bead based reagents for assays that require the purification of nucleic acid from difficult clinical samples such as urine, feces, sputum and tissue announced they have signed a joint collaboration agreement with the intention of developing an end-to-end DNA preparation and analysis solution.

The goal of the partnership is to provide an end-to-end solution for DNA analysis that is truly fast, affordable and user friendly. The basis of the collaboration is each company’s lab equipment which both have very small bench footprints and are easily portable.  Pricing for individual systems is expected to be less than $15,000 each when both instruments are released in 2009.

“The combination of the NorDiag ‘Arrow’ DNA isolation device with the Spartan DX-12™ DNA analyzer has the potential to change the playing field in the DNA analysis space,” said Mark Kershey, VP Corporate Development, Spartan Bioscience. “With a combined price tag expected to be less than $30,000 there will be nothing else like it.  Each device is designed to complete its processing of 12 samples in 30 minutes or less making the entire workflow possible in less than an hour.  This capability and its affordability will open DNA analysis to labs around the world.”

“Tailoring our sample preparation to DNA analyzing platforms is an important element of our strategy. We believe that small flexible and affordable systems will enable smaller labs to widen their menu of diagnostics tests being offered,” said NorDiag CEO Mårten Wigstøl. “Even more important, new DNA based tests using samples such as urine, faeces and sputum will open up new markets and we believe that a small affordable solution is perfect for such emerging tests.”
The companies will be unveiling their respective early prototypes at the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) meeting and exhibit October 29 - November 2, 2008 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Conference Center in Grapevine, Texas. Spartan will be located in booth # 215, adjacent NorDiag, booth # 216.

Spartan Bioscience unveils the Spartan DX-12™ DNA analyzer

New capabilities added after extensive feedback from validation partners

Ottawa, ON, October 27, 2008 – Spartan Bioscience Inc., a Canadian molecular diagnostics company that develops, manufactures, and markets DNA analyzers for on-demand applications, today announced the unveiling of the prototype Spartan DX-12™ DNA analyzer. This new addition to the Spartan product line is a direct result of feedback provided by evaluation partners in molecular biology labs across the U.S. and Canada.

“The Spartan DX-12 is a 12 well DNA analyzer representing the culmination of features and capabilities that the DNA analysis market has said they want and need, “ said Mark Kershey, VP Corporate Development, Spartan Bioscience. “The initial Spartan DX device was introduced to test the market and solicit feedback from lab scientists, the results of which were used in defining the specifications for the Spartan DX-12 device. The research community spoke, and Spartan listened.”

Key operating features of the Spartan DX-12 include:

  • 12 wells
  • Both End-Point detection and Real-Time PCR capabilities
  • Quantitative analysis
  • Typical results within 30 minutes
  • Fully stand-alone and portable
  • Advanced and easy to use graphing and analysis software

“We are confident that we have created a fast, sensitive and robust unit with better accuracy and precision than larger DNA analyzers” says Dr. Chris Harder, lead scientist, Spartan Bioscience. “Our goal remains to positively affect public health by delivering quick DNA analyses with an instrument that is as easy to use as your cell phone.”
DNA testing is the gold standard for a wide variety of fields, from clinical microbiology and virology, to veterinary, and food and water testing. With the Spartan DX-12, test facilities will be better able to provide “STAT” confirmatory testing of infectious pathogens.
Spartan will be unveiling an early prototype of the Spartan DX-12 DNA analyzer at the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) meeting and exhibit October 29 - November 2, 2008 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Conference Center in Grapevine, Texas. The company will be located in booth # 215, adjacent to partners TrimGen Corporation, booth # 217 and NorDiag, booth # 216.

Production of the Spartan DX-12 is scheduled to begin in Q1, 2009. Current customers can take advantage of the Spartan upgrade program to easily move up to the DX-12 from their current Spartan DX devices.

The 2008 Canada-California Strategic Innovation Partnership Summit

Montreal, Quebec / October 27, 2008

http://www.ccsip.org/summit.html

BioMonterrey 2008

BioMonterrey 2008
Monterrey, Mexico / October 15-17, 2008 / Canadian Pavilion

http://www.biomonterrey.org.mx/