IntegenX Licenses Caliper Microfluidics for Use in DNA Profiling Identification System

IntegenX has negotiated a license to use Caliper Life Sciences’ microfludics IP in combination with its own MOVe™ microvalve technology to speed the development and commercialization of its Apollo 200 RapidHIT™ DNA profiling system.

The Apollo 200 system is designed to automate the process of producing standardized DNA profiles from cheek swabs and other human tissue samples. The firm says the system cuts the time needed to produce a standard human identification DNA profile from about 15 hours to under two hours. IntegenX is actively developing the eight-channel system after successfully demonstrating the fully integrated and automated workflow in a four-channel device.

“The license agreement with Caliper supports our sample-to-answer strategy and enables us to build upon IntegenX’ core strengths in product development and integration,” comments Stevan Jovanovich, Ph.D., IntegenX president and CEO. “Microfluidics is a key enabling technology behind the high degree of automation and unprecedented analytical speed we’ve achieved.”

IntegenX specializes in the development of automation systems enabling reliable microsample preparation and analysis for the life sciences. Earlier this month the firm announced raising $15.6 million in a Series B round of financing that allowed it to aquire substantially all the stock of nucleic acid stabilization firm GenVault. It said the new capital will in addition fund continued development of the Apollo 200 RapidHIT system as well as facilitate commercialization of the Apollo 324 system for next-generation sequencing library preparation and support global marketing of the GenVault GenTegra™ product line. GenTegra DNA is a water-soluble, inert chemical matrix designed for dry-state, ambient temperature storage of purified DNA.