One of the leaders in the field of genetics, Chinese Beijing Genome Institute, (BGI), has increased its collaboration with PentaBase, Denmark. Following a successful first benchmark of PentaBase's technologies against competing technologies, BGI (together with Danish BGI partner SD Genomics) and PentaBase have now strengthened their collaboration with the aim to co-develop outstanding kits for the detection of important clinical biomarkers. We believe, that combining world leading bioinformatics with outstanding and robust technology offers great perspectives in developing diagnostic kits second to none. The kits will be based on Real-Time PCR.

With the general trend pointing towards Personalized Medicine, development of robust, sensitive and specific genetic diagnostics is essential. BGI, SD Genomics and PentaBase want to launch a range of ground breaking diagnostic assays. It is a perfect fit between two parties with complementary knowledge and technology. "We have magnificent perspectives in creating a win-win situation," says Ulf B. Christensen, CEO, PentaBase.

Established in 1999 and headquartered in Shenzhen, China, the Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI) is the largest genetic sequencing centre in Asia. BGI has been a core participant in all major international sequencing efforts, including the International Human Genome Project and the International HapMap Consortium.

PentaBase, situated in Denmark, was founded in 2006 by the inventor of the DNA analogues Hydrophobic Nucleic Acid, HyNA and Intercalating Nucleic Acid, INA. The company has developed and marketet proprietary technologies for genetic diagnostics and research, including probably the world's best primers and probes for Real-Time PCR.