BRANFORD, Conn., April 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 454 Life Sciences Corporation, a majority-owned subsidiary of CuraGen Corporation , and Roche Diagnostics today announced the launch of an updated version of the Genome Sequencer 20(TM) System. Version 1.02 of the Genome Sequencer 20 System comes with a bundle of improvements. The most important new features are:
* a single read accuracy of greater than or equal to 99%; * software algorithms to enable additional applications; * two additional PicoTiterPlate(TM) gasket formats; * extended shelf life and improved reagent handling such as rapid thawing protocols; and * a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) enabled mode, facilitating embedding of the system into lab infrastructures.
The enhanced features of the Genome Sequencer 20 System, version 1.02 will yield several significant improvements in the way the system can be used and in the data that result. The increased accuracy of single reads, greater than or equal to 99%, will further increase the quality of consensus sequences. It will also considerably improve the confidence level of putative sequence deviations detected using heterozygote calling and ultra deep amplicon sequencing, which the companies plan to launch later this year.
The new software algorithms result in improved assembly and contigging procedures and allow for sequencing of hundreds of thousands of short DNA fragments such as serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE(TM)) tags or cap analysis of gene expression (CAGE) tags, miRNA or chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) fragments. By combining new gasket formats with new software capabilities, the system’s flexibility will be increased considerably, enabling more applications to be addressed more efficiently. This refers particularly to high quality gene expression or sequencing of bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs).
“The Genome Sequencer 20 System, version 1.02 offers the potential of a genome-wide analysis of eukaryotic genomes. With the introduction of our amplicon sequencing portfolio in July, the most interesting market segments are now being covered,” commented Manfred Baier, Head of Roche Applied Science, a business area of Roche Diagnostics.
“We and Roche are consistently working together and with our customers to develop the most useful enhancements to the Genome Sequencer 20 System,” stated Christopher McLeod, President and CEO of 454 Life Sciences. “While we believe that our system already provides superior speed and accuracy to currently available platforms, we are always looking for ways to improve our technology based on the ever changing needs of our customers.”
The cost-effective Genome Sequencer 20 can perform sequencing runs up to 60 times faster than conventional commercially available platforms. The technology on which the system is based was developed by 454 Life Sciences. The system’s hallmark is the proprietary PicoTiterPlate, which allows the Genome Sequencer 20 System to sequence over 20 million bases within a five hour run. The technology integrates proprietary picoliter-technologies, patented light emitting sequencing chemistries, and state-of-the-art informatics. The method is fast thanks to a high degree of parallelization: the entire process sequences thousands of DNA molecules simultaneously.
About Roche and the Roche Diagnostics Division
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world’s leading research-focused healthcare groups in the fields of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. As a supplier of innovative products and services for the early detection, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, the Group contributes on a broad range of fronts to improving people’s health and quality of life. Roche is a world leader in diagnostics, the leading supplier of medicines for cancer and transplantation and a market leader in virology. In 2005 sales by the Pharmaceuticals Division totaled 27.3 billion Swiss francs, and the Diagnostics Division posted sales of 8.2 billion Swiss francs. Roche employs roughly 70,000 people in 150 countries and has R&D agreements and strategic alliances with numerous partners, including majority ownership interests in Genentech and Chugai. Roche’s Diagnostics Division offers a uniquely broad product portfolio and supplies a wide array of innovative testing products and services to researchers, physicians, patients, hospitals and laboratories world-wide. For further information, please visit our websites http://www.roche.com, http://www.roche-diagnostics.com and http://www.roche-applied-science.com.
About 454 Life Sciences
454 Life Sciences, a 66% majority-owned subsidiary of CuraGen Corporation , is commercializing novel instrumentation and measurement services for rapidly and comprehensively conducting high-throughput nucleotide sequencing, with specific application to sequencing of whole genomes and ultra-deep sequencing of target genes. 454 Life Sciences’ Genome Sequencer 20 System enables one individual to prepare and sequence an entire genome after performing a single sample preparation, irrespective of the size of the genome being studied. The hallmark of 454 Life Sciences’ technology is the PicoTiterPlate, which allows a single instrument using patented light emitting sequencing chemistries to produce over 20 million nucleotide bases per five-hour run, totaling more than 60 times the capacity of instruments using the current macro-scale technology.
The Genome Sequencer 20 System and reagents are available exclusively from Roche Applied Sciences. 454 Life Sciences offers sequencing services directly to customers on a fee for service basis at its state-of-the-art 454 Sequencing(TM) Center. For additional information on 454 Life Sciences, please visit http://www.454.com. For additional information on the Genome Sequencer 20 System and reagents, please visit http://www.roche-applied-science.com.
Safe Harbor
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. These statements include statements that the enhanced features of the Genome Sequencer 20 System, version 1.02 will yield several significant improvements in the way the system can be used and in the data that result. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward- looking statements. 454 Life Sciences and CuraGen caution investors that there can be no assurance that actual results or business conditions will not differ materially from those projected or suggested in such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the following: the early stage of development of 454 Life Sciences’ products and technologies; customer acceptance of 454 Life Sciences’ products and technologies; 454 Life Sciences’ ability to scale-up production of its products and technologies; disputes between 454 Life Sciences and CuraGen; the success of competing products and technologies; technological uncertainty and product development risks; uncertainties of clinical trials, government regulation and healthcare reform; uncertainty of additional funding with respect to both CuraGen and 454 Life Sciences; 454 Life Sciences’ and CuraGen’s history of incurring losses and the uncertainty of achieving profitability; CuraGen’s stage of development as a biopharmaceutical company; patent infringement claims against 454 Life Sciences’ and CuraGen’s products, processes and technologies; the ability to protect 454 Life Sciences’ and CuraGen’s patents and proprietary rights; uncertainties relating to commercialization rights; product liability exposure; and competition. Please refer to CuraGen’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 for a complete description of these risks. 454 Life Sciences and CuraGen disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, unless required by law.
454(R) is a registered trademark of 454 Life Sciences Corporation. 454 Life Sciences(TM), Genome Sequencer 20(TM), PicoTiterPlate(TM), and 454 Sequencing(TM) are trademarks of 454 Life Sciences Corporation. SAGE(TM) is a trademark of Genzyme Corporation. The SAGE process is covered by U.S. Patent 5,695,937 owned by Genzyme Molecular Oncology.
454 Life Sciences Peter Dacey Vice President, Finance info@454.com (877) 890-GNOM Noonan Russo Jane Petrino Account Supervisor Jane.petrino@eurorscg.com (212) 845-4274
454 Life Sciences Corporation; CuraGen Corporation
CONTACT: Peter Dacey, Vice President, Finance of 454 Life Sciences,+1-877-890-GNOM, info@454.com; or Jane Petrino, +1-212-845-4274,Jane.petrino@eurorscg.com
Web site: http://www.curagen.com//
