Semi-OT: New Real-Time PCR System for Exceptionally High-Throughput Demands of the Pharmaceutical Research Market
PE Biosystems Group (NYSE:PEB), a PE Corporation business now conducting business under the Applied Biosystems name, today introduced the ABI PRISM(R) 7900HT Sequence Detection System, an automated, real-time PCR instrument intended to expedite pharmaceutical customers' lead discovery process and the pace at which they can bring new drugs to market.
The 7900HT system is designed to perform gene expression quantitation and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection at higher throughput and lower cost than the current industry-leading real-time PCR instrument made by Applied Biosystems, the ABI PRISM(R) 7700 Sequence Detection System.
"The ability to perform a larger number of assays at much lower reagent running cost is very important to pharmaceutical manufacturing customers," said Michael W. Hunkapiller, Ph.D., senior vice president, PE Corporation and president, Applied Biosystems.
"These laboratory studies could open the door to defining patient populations more precisely and increase the chances of a potentially life-saving drug making it to market," Dr. Hunkapiller said. "For example, if a current chemotherapy or AIDS therapeutic candidate demonstrates side effects, it is likely to be eliminated from consideration due to the potential impact on the general population of patients. Stratification could lead to the definition of which patients, based on their genetic make-up, should take the drug and which ones should avoid it, creating the possibility of the approval and more precise prescription of the drug."
The ABI PRISM(R) 7900HT Sequence Detection System is an extension of the family that includes the 7700 system which is still available to customers with more moderate throughput needs. Real-time PCR is a process whereby users can detect the nucleic acid amplification while the reaction is underway. Among the 7900HT Sequence Detection System design features intended to enable greater automation is the ability to handle micro-titer plates ranging in size from 96 to 384 wells.
The system also offers an optional Automation Accessory capable of loading up to 84 384-well plates into the instrument for 24-hour, hands-free operation and increased throughput.
Pharmaceutical manufacturing customers could use the 7900HT system to test potential diagnostics and drug compounds in the laboratory. High-volume, low-cost gene expression experiments offer these companies an opportunity to make more precise evaluations before initiating human clinical studies.
As more genetic differences in the form of SNPs are identified, this technology has the potential to allow drug development companies to perform large-scale experimentation to identify the genetic differences between healthy people and those who have a particular disease. Genotyping of populations and correlation of SNPs to the presence of disease could enable the development of new diagnostics and therapeutics to detect and treat disease.
"Applied Biosystems is well placed to serve the diagnostics manufacturing sector through our licensing arrangements and the molecular diagnostics initiative we announced Nov. 6," Dr. Hunkapiller said.
The 7900HT Sequence Detection System uses the TaqMan(R) probe technology known for its sensitivity in multiplex reactions. Applied Biosystems intends to ship the new system in the current fiscal quarter.
PE Corporation comprises two operating groups. The PE Biosystems Group, now conducting business under the Applied Biosystems name, develops and markets instrument-based systems, reagents, software and contract services to the life science industry and research community. Applied Biosystems is headquartered in Foster City, Calif., and reported sales of $1.4 billion during fiscal 2000. The Celera Genomics Group, headquartered in Rockville, Md., intends to become the definitive source of genomic and related medical information. Information about the Company, including reports and other information filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is available on the worldwide web at www.pecorporation.com or by phoning 800/762-6923. |
