The lack of availability of reliable and renewable sources of reference standards has been a major challenge to molecular laboratories. Even when patient samples are available, variability in DNA extraction and a lack of standardization have proven to be additional serious sources of error. The availability through Horizon of reliable and renewable genetically defined and thoroughly validated reference materials will provide an industry standard for the development of and quality control of molecular assays, thereby directly improving their accuracy.
Horizon’s Molecular Reference Standards include FFPE cell line blocks and purified gDNA. HDx recently launched its first Quantitative Multiplex DNA Reference Standard, intended for researchers assessing multiple biomarkers in a single assay, using platforms such as next generation sequencing (NGS).
“Horizon’s Molecular Reference Standards are a valuable addition to our personalized medicine portfolio and we are excited to be able to extend this offering to our customers,” said Fabio Biondi, Diatech Pharmacogenetics President. “The increased use of Molecular Reference Standards in laboratories around the world has the potential to improve delivery of molecular assays for a range of applications. Diatech, through deployment of our Myriapod SNP detection platform, is committed to driving improved accuracy in molecular diagnostics and subsequent treatment of cancer patients.”
“Horizon is committed to working with the best distribution partners; those dedicated to customer service, cutting edge science and ultimately better patient care,” commented Dr Brian Burke, Business Development Manager, Horizon Diagnostics. “We are delighted therefore to have signed this agreement with Diatech Pharmacogenetics.”
About Diatech Pharmacogenetics srl http://www.diatechpharmacogenetics.com/
Diatech Pharmacogenetics is the unique diagnostic company in Italy focusing its research efforts on pharmacogenetics only; supporting its own research, development and sales of pharmacogenetics tests, implemented in the personalised and predictive medicine, with priority focused on the most invasive therapies: anti-cancer treatments and genetic disease.
Pharmacogenetics kits developed by Diatech Pharmacogenetics target to personalize chemotherapy and radiotherapy cancer treatments leading to higher efficacy and reduced side effects.
Myriapod is the in vitro diagnostic line that permits with only one DNA test to identify all SNPs which could give an adverse response to the drugs normally used for a specific neoplastic pathology treatment. The kits are able to analyse tens of mutations in a single session and permit to pass from patient's DNA to the personalized therapy choice in less than one day.
About Horizon Diagnostics http://www.horizondx.com/
Horizon Diagnostics (HDx), a division of Horizon Discovery Ltd, is an industry-leading provider of quantitative molecular reference standards, including gDNA and cell culture derived FFPE sections. HDx uses a combination of gene editing and digital PCR to engineer reference standards with oncology relevant genotypes at precise allelic frequencies, enabling researchers to establish sensitivity and limit of detection for molecular assays on a routine basis. The vision is for HDx to become the global leader in provision of oncology reference standards across the full range of diagnostic platforms.
About Horizon Discovery http://www.horizondiscovery.com/
Horizon Discovery Limited (Horizon) is a leading provider of research tools to support translational genomics research and the development of personalized medicines. The Company’s proprietary rAAV gene-editing technology, GENESIS™, is industry leading. Using GENESIS, Horizon is able to alter any endogenous gene sequence of a human or mammalian cell-line quickly, reliably and without introducing unwanted and confounding genotypes and/or phenotypes.
Horizon has applied GENESIS to create over 500 X-MAN™ cell lines, the world’s first source of genetically-defined and patient-relevant human cell lines, accurately modeling the disease-causing mutations found in cancer patients. These ‘patients-in-a-test-tube’ are being used by academic and industry leaders to identify the effect of individual or compound genetic mutations on drug activity, patient responsiveness, and resistance, leading to the successful prediction of which patient sub-groups will respond to currently-available and future drug treatments. This enables the design of shorter, more focused, and less expensive clinical trials, ultimately providing the tools to identify the ‘right drugs’ for the ‘right patients’ based upon the unique genetic mutations that define their disease.
In addition to the X-MAN cell lines, Horizon provides GENESIS and X-MAN™ derived products and services, with industrial application in: bio-pharmaceutical process optimization; clinical diagnostic development; drug discovery & development; and the provision of reference standards for genomic-based clinical research platforms.
GENESIS and X-MAN are registered trademarks of Horizon Discovery Limited.
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Contacts:
At Horizon:
Dr Brian Burke
Business Development Manager
Tel: +44 (0) 1223 655 580
Email: b.burke@horizondiscovery.com
Media enquiries:
Katie Odgaard
Zyme Communications
Tel: +44 (0)7787 502 947
Email katie.odgaard@zymecommunications.com
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Horizon Discovery and Diatech Pharmacogenetics sign distribution agreement
15 April 2013
Horizon Diagnostics (HDx), a division of Horizon Discovery and a leading provider of research tools to support the development and prescription of personalized medicines, today announced it has signed a distribution agreement with Diatech Pharmacogenetics srl. Diatech Pharmacogenetics becomes sole distributor of HDx’s molecular reference standards in Italy, San Marino and Vatican City.