Molecular Diagnostics, Low-throughput DNA testing (2)

News

Spartan Bioscience Inc. receives Frost & Sullivan Global Award2008 Global Polymerase Chain Reaction Product of the Year Award goes to the Spartan DXTM DNA analyser

The 2008 Frost & Sullivan Global Polymerase Chain Reaction Product of the Year Award has been awarded to Spartan Bioscience Inc., a Canadian molecular diagnostics company. The company is recognised for its pioneering Spartan DXTM DNA analyser. This innovative, portable DNA analyser designed for the molecular biology market is aimed at small scale, on-demand DNA analysis. With a unique value proposition in the research and clinical markets, Spartan’s innovative product offering is poised to experience widespread market acceptance.

“The Spartan DX DNA analyser finds an exclusive place in the molecular biology market as the need for small scale DNA analysis is yet to be fulfilled,” notes Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Arun A.K. “With strong qualitative results, this portable DNA analyser represents a major breakthrough in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology.”

Launched in June 2007, the Spartan DXTM DNA analyser is a portable and compact analyser that has been designed for non-batched, on-demand DNA applications with a major focus on convenience and affordability. A perfect match for low throughput analysis, this analyser is a boon for researchers and clinicians as it addresses the need for small scale analysis as a complement to the batched PCR workflows that dominate the industry.

This product gives Spartan the competitive edge as it enjoys first mover advantage in the small volume analyser market. The Spartan DX DNA analyser has already received positive feedback from its customers within a short period of its launch.

Clients have lauded the analyser as being an ideal fit for bacterial microbiology laboratories in developing nations as it is relatively inexpensive. Moreover, it has been commended for being compact, easy-to-use, giving results faster than most PCR instruments, and being well-suited for analysing single samples. As such, the Spartan DX is extremely effective for occasional STAT testing: the analysis of occasional but important ‘rush’ specimens that fall outside the routine testing schedule of the diagnostic virology laboratory.

“After having been successfully introduced in research labs in Canada and the USA, Spartan Bioscience is now actively exploring broader global markets to expand its presence,” states Arun. “With an expanding distribution network, Spartan Bioscience is preparing to revolutionise the PCR market with its first-to-market, on-demand DNA analyser.”

The Frost & Sullivan Award for Product of the Year is presented each year to the company that has demonstrated excellence in new product development and launch within its industry. The recipient company has shown innovation by its plans to launch a broad line of emerging products and technologies.<\p>

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognise companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.

About Spartan Bioscience

Spartan Bioscience Inc. is a privately-held molecular diagnostics company that develops, manufactures, and markets Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) DNA analysers for on-demand applications. The company is focusing on applications where rapid and convenient DNA testing is particularly important, such as low-throughput research experiments and non-batched testing for infectious diseases. For more information visit www.spartanbio.com

Spartan Bioscience Contact Information:

Shelley Mullins - Media and Analyst Relations
Phone: 613-866-8803
Email: shelley.mullins@spartanbio.com

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company’s industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. For more information, visit www.awards.frost.com.

Frost & Sullivan Contact Information:

Jasmine Malone – Promotions Co-ordinator
Phone: 0044 207 915 7869
E-Mail:jasmine.malone@frost.com

Spartan Bioscience donates DNA Analyzer to CHEO Equipment used to develop test for herpes simplex virus and enterovirus

Spartan Bioscience Inc., a Canadian molecular diagnostics company that develops, manufactures, and markets DNA analyzers for on-demand applications, today announced a significant donation in equipment, the Spartan DX™ real-time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) DNA analyzer to The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO).

“The Spartan DX^TM is a very clever development in molecular diagnostic technology. It is inexpensive, compact, easy-to-use, gives results faster than most PCR instruments, and is well-suited for analyzing single samples,” said Dr. Tim Karnauchow, PhD, Clinical Virologist, CHEO. “As such, the Spartan DX^TM is ideal for occasional “stat” testing: analysis of those occasional but important “rush” specimens outside of the routine testing schedule of the diagnostic virology laboratory. With current technology, these tests can be difficult for us to accommodate. With this in mind, we have worked with Spartan Bioscience to develop a test for herpes simplex virus, and are presently completing work on a test for enterovirus. Both are important causes of central nervous system infections. Doctors often ask for “stat” herpes simplex and enterovirus tests to help make earlier treatment decisions. “

“The attributes of the Spartan DX^TM also make it a nice fit for institutions in resource-limited settings. Our laboratory will be collaborating with groups in underserviced areas to develop and help implement Spartan-based molecular tests in their laboratories, in both research and diagnostic contexts,” added Dr. Karnauchow. “The donation of a Spartan DX^TM to CHEO was a natural fit for us as we have been working very closely with Dr. Karnauchow throughout the development process and his help and guidance have been very important,” said Dr. Paul Lem, CEO and Founder of Spartan Bioscience. “As we continue to develop this new market for on-demand molecular diagnostics, it’s very helpful to have the input and guidance from researchers in the field, so having our equipment in the CHEO virology lab should provide us with first-hand information that we can use in the development of non-batched real-time PCR applications.”

About Spartan Bioscience

Founded in 2005, Spartan Bioscience Inc. is a privately-held molecular diagnostics company that develops, manufactures, and markets DNA analyzers for on-demand applications. The company is focusing on applications where rapid and convenient DNA testing is particularly important, such as low-throughput research experiments and non-batched testing for infectious diseases.

For media and analyst inquiries, please contact:

Shelley Mullins
Media and Analyst Relations
Spartan Bioscience Inc.
Telephone: 613-866-8803
Email: shelley.mullins@spartanbio.com

Spartan Bioscience donates DNA Analyzer to The Ottawa HospitalEquipment will provide STAT results in molecular microbiology research

“The Spartan DX^TM is a new instrument in the realm of molecular diagnostics. It offers speed and flexibility and in my opinion it will be ideal for use in diagnostic laboratories to develop assays that, in the future, may be used for clinical diagnostic purposes. For similar reasons, it will also be a valuable tool in research laboratories,” said Dr. Karam Ramotar, (PhD), Molecular Microbiologist at The Ottawa Hospital. “In Clinical diagnostic laboratories, I can see the Spartan DX^TM playing a major role in providing non-batched (‘stat’) molecular testing, thus expanding the repertoire of testing in these laboratories. It provides rapid and reliable results comparable to similar instruments and the assays are easily incorporated in laboratories that already perform molecular testing.”

The Spartan DX^TM is designed for non-batched, on-demand DNA applications where speed and convenience are important. Applications include low-throughput research experiments and non-batched testing for infectious diseases. The Spartan DX^TM has been validated against industry-leading real-time PCR machines. It is proven to be compatible with industry-standard consumables, including inexpensive reaction tubes and real-time PCR reagents and kits from leading manufacturers.

“We donated a Spartan DX^TM because we recognize the value of supporting the research efforts of The Ottawa Hospital. The Division of Microbiology has been a key partner in validating the instrument and demonstrating its usefulness for on-demand DNA testing,” said Dr. Paul Lem, CEO and Founder of Spartan Bioscience. “Spartan is creating a new market for on-demand molecular diagnostics. There is enormous potential for rapid and highly accurate DNA results to benefit hospitals around the world. We will continue to collaborate with microbiologists at The Ottawa Hospital to develop DNA devices that are fast, affordable and easy to use.”

About Spartan Bioscience

For media and analyst inquiries, please contact:

Shelley Mullins
Media and Analyst Relations
Spartan Bioscience Inc.
Telephone: 613-866-8803
Email: shelley.mullins@spartanbio.com

Spartan Bioscience Launches World’s First Personal DNA Analyzer

Spartan DX(TM) device enables on-demand, real-time PCR results in 30 minutes or less.

OTTAWA, CANADA–(Marketwire - June 12, 2007) - Spartan Bioscience Inc. today announced the commercial launch of the Spartan DX^TM real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) DNA analyzer. The Spartan DX^TM provides DNA results in 30 minutes or less for 4 samples at a time. It is available at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of USD $14,995. Spartan is now accepting orders for shipment during the month of July.

Highly accurate DNA testing is the “gold standard” for molecular diagnostics, but is slow and expensive since batched, mainframe-style DNA machines are designed for highly-trained scientists in high-throughput environments.

In contrast, the Spartan DX^TM is designed for non-batched, on-demand DNA applications where speed and convenience are important. Applications include low-throughput research experiments and non-batched testing for infectious diseases. The Spartan DX^TM has been validated against industry-leading real-time PCR machines. It is proven to be compatible with industry-standard consumables, including inexpensive reaction tubes and real-time PCR reagents and kits from leading manufacturers.

“In the same way that mainframe computers gave rise to personal computers, mainframe DNA machines are giving rise to personal DNA analyzers,” said Dr. Paul Lem, Chief Executive Officer of Spartan. “DNA is in every organism on the planet and there will be major benefits as DNA testing becomes widely available.”

About Spartan Bioscience

Founded in 2005, Spartan Bioscience Inc. is a privately-held molecular diagnostics company that develops, manufactures, and markets personal DNA analyzers for on-demand applications. The company is focusing on applications where rapid and convenient DNA testing is particularly important, such as low-throughput research experiments and non-batched testing for infectious diseases.
For media and analyst inquiries, please contact:

Shelley Mullins
Media and Analyst Relations
Spartan Bioscience Inc.
Telephone: 613-866-8803
Email: shelley.mullins@spartanbio.com

Panacis Medical Signs Manufacturing Agreement with Spartan Bioscience

OTTAWA, Panacis Medical has signed a manufacturing agreement with Spartan Bioscience to produce the first commercial units of their DNA analysis system. This agreement extends and enhances the design and development partnership between the two companies. Panacis was selected as manufacturer for its experience with “new product introduction”, reducing time and costs during the transition to high volume production. Panacis is also to support the regulatory files related to manufacturing and commercialization of Spartan products.

About Panacis Medical

With a foundation in systems engineering encompassing mechanical, low-power and wireless electronics, Panacis Medical has experience realizing product concepts. Their engineering capabilities extend across the areas of design, prototyping, and manufacturing and is a registered manufacturer of medical products with ISO certified quality management systems. To its partners, Panacis’ co-development model provides an experienced design and manufacturing team, and advice in the areas of intellectual property management, investment, and commercialization. Panacis Medical was founded 2002 and has been growing quickly since. Based in Ottawa and Montréal, with product partners around the world.

For more information, please contact:
Gregory Bridgett, Vice President of Business Operations
Panacis Medical
Telephone: +1 [613] 727-5775
Email: info@panacis.com

About Spartan Bioscience

For media and analyst inquiries, please contact:

Shelley Mullins
Media and Analyst Relations
Spartan Bioscience Inc.
Telephone: 613-866-8803
Email: shelley.mullins@spartanbio.com

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