IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--eGene Inc. (OTCBB:EGEI),
a leading biotechnology company and developer of a compact and automated
digital genetic analyzer, announced today that the Company has received
confirmation from the Taiwan Patent Office of its decision to grant a
patent for the “Multi-channel bio-separation
cartridge." This marks the Company’s
ninth patent worldwide.
The invention entitled “Multi-channel
bio-separation cartridge” provides a novel
solution in bio-separations as a high-resolution microfluidic
electrophoresis system, that uses an efficient, compact, simplified,
portable, interchangeable, reusable, low cost, easy to assemble
multi-channel gel-cartridge with no moving parts for bio-separation, and
which has integrated pre-aligned micro-optics and an integrated reagent
reservoir. “The cartridge supports multiple
micro-channels for simultaneous bio-molecules analysis. Different type
cartridges can be easily interchanged in our system to suit the
particular bio-molecules sample based detection,”
explained by the co-inventor Mr. Amirkhanian, who is the Executive V.P.
& R&D Director at eGene.
This key patent is one of a series of pending patent applications that
significantly broadens eGene’s
proprietary position in the genomic testing and information markets.
Dr. Ming Liu, Chief Executive Officer & co-inventor, said, “Receiving
a patent that provides a simplified, low cost, high efficient and high
throughput detection method that overcomes the drawback of the prior art
is so fundamentally essential to our success in the rapidly growing
genotyping market, where it reinforces our path to a leadership position
in the industry. The technology described in the new patent may provide
a significant technological foundation for the effective use in many
diverse applications in industrial microbiology, medicine and Life
Sciences markets. As we continue to increase and broaden our
intellectual property portfolio, we intend to also realize value from
our patents through licensing or partnering opportunities.”
According to Dr. Liu, eGene’s long-term
business goal is to evolve into a bioinformatics company. The Company’s
leading product, the HDA-GT12™, is
penetrating the current genetic research and testing market quickly.
"We believe our patented technology will play a leading role in the
evolution of the diagnostics market as personalized medicine becomes
main stream. Where testing must be increasingly integrated, there is a
real market need for cost-effective solutions that are able to migrate
closer to the patient while still producing extremely high-quality
results. Also capturing great market attention is our recently-launched
revolutionary automatic HLA-SSP genotyping system for bone marrow
genotype matching. In addition, we have begun collecting excellent data
from our prototype carbohydrate analyzer. We are going to develop
products that can detect, quantify, identify and characterize
bio-molecules, which include DNA, RNA, carbohydrate and protein, in the
Life Science market,” said Dr. Liu.
About eGene Inc.
eGene developed the HDA-GT12(TM) (high-performance DNA analyzer for
genotyping on 12 channels). The system analyzes the genetic fingerprints
of living organisms. It performs fast DNA sample screening and
high-resolution DNA fragment analysis (2-5bp). The system also analyzes
the quality and quantity of RNA in gene expression market. The Company
sells cartridges that are specific to the type of analysis to be
performed. All data is then received in digital form for appropriate
transmission and storage.
eGene Inc. (www.egeneinc.com)
focuses its core technologies of capillary electrophoresis, liquid
handling and automation to develop and manufacture low-cost
microfluidic, miniaturized digital analyzer systems, software and
consumables for biological materials testing applications. These
products detect, quantify, identify and characterize biomolecules
including DNA and RNA at high rates of specificity and sensitivity while
automating routine and non-routine laboratory and industrial procedures
critical to product safety, development quality and productivity.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are made based on
management's current expectations and beliefs. Actual results may vary
from those currently anticipated based upon a number of factors. The
company undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revision, which
may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.
