Rubicon Genomics, Inc., a company developing and commercializing sample-specific pre-analytical processes to improve the capabilities and performance of DNA and RNA analytical platforms, has announced a clinical supply agreement with molecular diagnostics firm Agendia for its TransPLEX whole genome RNA amplification technology. Agendia will incorporate Rubicon’s TransPLEX kits into the analysis of FFPE (formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded) patient samples for use with its symphony suite of breast cancer diagnostics.
“This agreement marks an important milestone for Rubicon,” said Rubicon CEO James Koziarz. “Our innovative sample-specific technologies for improving the performance of DNA and RNA analytic platforms are being used in an increasingly broad range of applications. This supply agreement with cancer diagnostics pioneer Agendia represents our first large-scale commercial partnership with a provider of clinical diagnostic tests, and we expect it to be the first of many going forward.”
FFPE tumour samples are widely used in cancer diagnostics, but they present many challenges for molecular analysis. RNA or DNA extracted from FFPE samples is highly fragmented and often contains only small amounts of usable DNA or RNA, which may be insufficient for analysis. Rubicon’s TransPLEX genomic RNA amplification kits and GenomePLEX genomic DNA amplification kits are members of Rubicon’s OmniPLEX® family of technologies that are designed and validated to overcome these problems and deliver sufficient quantities of high quality nucleic acids to enable accurate and consistent analyses.
“Rubicon’s TransPLEX RNA amplification technology for FFPE samples was a standout in our evaluation of the available options for use with our Symphony products for the diagnosis and management of breast cancer,” commented David Macdonald, CEO of Agendia. “TransPLEX offers product performance and workflow advantages, producing superior results while taking less time. In line with our commitment to ongoing innovation and product excellence, we look forward to incorporating this superior technology into our ongoing diagnostic operations.”
Rubicon’s OmniPLEX amplification kits use proprietary methods for advanced library synthesis and high-yield amplification to prepare samples for sensitive and accurate PCR, microarray and next-generation sequencing analysis for use in biomedical research and clinical medicine. They have been successfully used with thousands of clinical FFPE samples with exceptional consistency, superior performance and proven sensitivity. The OmniPLEX kits are also fast, simple, and amenable to automation.
Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.