Oct 9 2007, 7:15 AM EST
News source: Business Wire
Sorenson Genomics, a leading global provider of DNA-related testing services, today announced the merger of two of its leading business units: Identigene and GeneTree. The new organization will retain the Identigene name, and will continue to provide DNA testing and analysis services from its laboratory facilities in Salt Lake City, Utah and in Houston, Texas.
The merger brings together two pioneers and market leaders in the DNA testing industry. Founded in 1993, Identigene was the first company to commercially use the highly accurate STR ("short tandem repeat") technology - now the industry standard for DNA testing - and was one of the first laboratories to replace blood samples with the less-invasive saliva cheek-swab method. Identigene quickly established itself as one of the industry's most trusted providers of legally binding, court-admissible DNA testing services for public defenders, district attorneys, law enforcement organizations, family law firms and other entities that rely on DNA evidence. GeneTree, founded in 1997, was the first company to offer DNA paternity tests online, and is the market leader in online "peace-of-mind" paternity testing and other DNA testing services commercially available for assessing human identity and relatedness. The new combined entity will continue to provide all major services provided by Identigene and the former GeneTree company - including forensic DNA casework.
"We are delighted to welcome the dedicated employees and loyal customers of the former GeneTree organization to Identigene," said Doug Fogg, chief operating officer of Sorenson Genomics. "All Identigene stakeholders, from customers and employees to our shareholders and community, will benefit from the continuous innovation and expanded service offering of the new organization."
Both GeneTree and Identigene are accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), the primary governing and accrediting body for U.S.-based DNA paternity testing organizations. The companies' parent organization, Sorenson Genomics, was the world's first DNA-testing facility accredited for genetic genealogy purposes.
"Combining the strengths of a leader in the legal-based paternity industry with the leading provider of online peace-of-mind paternity tests will allow us to effectively serve the entire DNA testing marketplace - from direct-consumer individuals and families to large companies and government agencies," said Fogg. "This merger will enable us to leverage powerful synergies between the two organizations and further solidify the market leadership of the Sorenson Genomics family of companies."
About Identigene
Founded in 1993, Identigene, a division of Sorenson Genomics, was the first DNA testing laboratory in the world to commercially use STR technology for paternity testing, and has since provided test results to more than 200,000 people around the world. Identigene is a full-service DNA testing laboratory, specializing in paternity testing and forensic DNA testing services. For more information on Identigene and its DNA testing services, visit www.identigene.com.
About Sorenson Genomics
Sorenson Genomics (www.sorensongenomics.com) is a best-in-class genetic testing organization certified to ISO 17025 and accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks. It was the world's first laboratory accredited for genetic genealogy testing services. Through two independent business units -- Identigene and Sorenson Forensics -- Sorenson Genomics provides a wide spectrum of contract services to clients throughout the world, including DNA extraction and purification; biological forensics; drug screening; disaster victim identification; ancestral and population assessment, and custom test development.
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