Press Release
Bagneux (France) – Genomic Vision, a company that specializes in developing genetic diagnostic tests using DNA molecular combing technology, has announced an extension of its strategic alliance agreement with U.S.-based Quest Diagnostics, the world’s leading provider of diagnostic information services.
Under the agreement, Quest Diagnostics will invest in the planned development of automated versions of one or more lab-developed tests based on DNA combing, a technique from Genomic Vision, for a hereditary genetic disease and other conditions. Genomic Vision will also take steps to enhance DNA combing workflow and automation, and these improvements may be incorporated into Quest’s lab-developed tests pending independent test development and validation.
Additional terms were not disclosed.
“This development is based on the complementary nature of our expertise. Automated DNA combing will improve turnaround times for tests that employ DNA combing to help leverage the potential of DNA combing for testing of large populations, which in turn may help improve detection of diseases such as certain cancers and neurological disorders », stated Aaron Bensimon, CEO of Genomic Vision. “An automated process for performing DNA combing will further increase throughput by an order of magnitude so that more patients may conceivably benefit from the tests based on DNA combing.”
Genomic Vision and Quest Diagnostics announced a strategic alliance agreement in July 2011 giving Quest exclusive rights to develop and sell diagnostic tests based on Genomic Vision’s molecular combing technology in the United States and certain other territories. Quest Diagnostics (7.4 billion dollars in 2012 revenues with 41,000 employees) has also taken an equity stake in the French biotech company.
Since that time, Quest Diagnostics has adapted the molecular combing technique to a commercial laboratory, streamlined and automated processes and successfully validated an improved molecular combing assay for the genetic disorder facio-scapulo-humeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Quest Diagnostics expects to launch the FSHD lab-developed test this summer.
Quest Diagnostics is also exploring market opportunities for a lab-developed test for Lynch Syndrome, which genetically predisposes an individual to colorectal cancer, based on DNA combing.
In 2012, Genomic Vision launched its first test in Europe designed to diagnose facio-scapulo-humeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), the second most prevalent muscular dystrophy disorder affecting 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 20,000 people.
About molecular combing
DNA molecular combing technology developed by Genomic Vision considerably improves the structural and functional analysis of DNA molecules. DNA fibers are stretched out on glass slides, “combed” in a sense, and uniformly aligned over the whole surface. It is then possible to identify genetic anomalies by locating genes or specific sequences in a patient’s genome using markers, an approach developed by Genomic Vision under the name Genomic Morse Code. This exploration of the entire genome at high resolution in a simple analysis, enables clear and direct visualization of genetic anomalies potentially undetectable using current technologies.
About Genomic Vision
Founded in 2004, Genomic Vision is a biotechnology company specialized in developing diagnostic tests for genetic diseases and cancer genomics. It uses an extremely powerful technology, molecular combing, which allows direct visualization of individual DNA molecules to detect quantitative and qualitative variations in the genome and to establish their role in a target pathology. Genomic Vision holds exclusive license from the Institut Pasteur for this technology. The company, with its head office and research laboratories based in Bagneux (92), near Paris, employs 40 people for revenues of 3.8 million euros in 2012. Since its creation, it has raised ten million euros. For more information: http://www.genomicvision.com
