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U.S. Department of Homeland Security Awards U.S. Genomics up to $16.2
Million for Phase II Biodefense Contract
DNA Mapping Technology to Be Prototyped as Biosensor for Pathogen
Identification
WOBURN, Mass - Nov. 30, 2005--U.S. Genomics has been awarded a Phase II
contract by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Advanced Research
Project Agency (HSARPA) to continue development of the Company's
sophisticated biological sensor for biodefense applications. Under the
18-month, $16.2 million contract, funded by HSARPA's Bioagent Autonomous
Networked Detectors (BAND) program, U.S. Genomics will complete technology
and prototype development of its system for the detection and identification
of airborne pathogens using its DNA mapping technology. The contract award,
follows the successful completion on October 31, 2005 of an 18-month, $7.5
million Phase I HSARPA BAND contract.
"The award of the Phase II BAND contract validates the success of our
biosensor program and the considerable potential of the underlying DNA
mapping technology," said John J. Canepa, Chief Executive Officer of U.S.
Genomics; "The resources provided under the second phase of this contract
will allow us to move closer to the commercialization of this unique
technology. U.S. Genomics continues to be excited about working with the
outstanding team of people at The Department of Homeland Security to deliver
a biosensor which meets the program's mandate to improve the security of our
citizens. Additionally, advancement of our DNA mapping technology under this
contract has the potential to be developed for use in human diagnostics and
military applications."
U.S. Genomics' unique DNA mapping technology allows extremely precise
"broadband" detection of airborne pathogens in an environmental sample. The
technology's readings are sensitive to the single-molecule level and yield
extremely low false positive rates. Using a universal reagent set that can
detect and identify pathogens, the technology produces a genetic signature
unique to each DNA fragment in the sample, and also identifies the organism
from which the DNA originates. Unlike other detection technologies, U.S.
Genomics' detection platform does not require amplification or the use of
pathogen-specific reagents for detection of each threat organism.
Additionally, U.S. Genomics' approach has the potential to identify
genetically modified species, such as those that may have been deliberately
engineered to elude traditional detection methods.
About U.S. Genomics, Inc.
U.S. Genomics is pioneering single molecule biology tools for the life
sciences industry. The Company provides instruments and reagents for
researchers in academia, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and
contract service organizations. Combining advances in microfluidics, optical
engineering, and novel labeling strategies, U.S. Genomics' innovative
technologies allow applications in genetics, functional genomics, biodefense,
and diagnostics to be performed at the single molecule level. The Trilogy®
platform is the first commercial technology to enable the direct detection
and analysis of individual molecules of DNA, RNA, and proteins without the
need for amplification. In addition, the Company is developing a next
generation of biodetection technology for the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security. U.S. Genomics' portfolio of products will further a greater
understanding of genetics and disease pathways and will ultimately lead to
more effective therapeutics and diagnostics. For more information, please
visit www.usgenomics.com.
Trilogy is a registered trademark and Direct (as in Direct miRNA), Digital
DNA and U.S. Genomics are trademarks of U.S. Genomics, Inc.
Contact:
At U.S. Genomics
Faye Boeckman, PhD, 781-939-6401
Director of Marketing
fboeckman@usgenomics.com
or
At Feinstein Kean Healthcare
Harriet Ullman, 617-577-8110
hullman@fkhealth.com
Press Release Source: U.S. Genomics
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