OGT in prenatal collaboration with the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute

Oxford, UK – 31 July 2007. OGT and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute are pleased to announce the signing of a collaboration agreement to develop a single platform microarray to test for genetic defects in unborn children.

The collaboration between OGT and The Sanger Institute aims to develop and validate a microarray to specifically target a number of key pre-natal syndromes. 

Speaking on the development, Professor Martin Bobrow, former Head of Human Genetics at Cambridge University, said: “Many thousands of people choose each year to test their early pregnancies for serious abnormalities of development. This new technology promises to make these tests, faster, more accurate and better targeted than current methods which have been in use for the past 30 years.”

OGT will design and develop the high quality optimised 60mer oligonucleotide microarray using its ink jet in-situ synthesis (IJISS) platform, and work with the Sanger Institute’s clinical network to target the most appropriate syndromes, a network of clinicians with samples that will be critical in array validation. 

Dr John Anson, Research and Development Director at OGT said: “OGT is currently developing a number of products for array Comparative Genomic Hybridisation (aCGH), applications. The combination of OGT’s oligonucleotide microarray expertise with the Sanger Institute’s drive for the advancement of technology in human genetics will enable our two organisations to design and validate a cost-effective oligonucleotide (pre-natal) array with greater resolution and reproducibility. We are delighted to be collaborating with such a world-renowned team of scientists to develop this diagnostic test”.

Dr Nigel Carter at the Sanger Institute added:” I am excited at the prospect of converting our in-house array designs onto a commercial cost-effective platform which will provide wider access to the clinical community.  The new array will enable rapid identification of a wider range of genetic disorders in the unborn child than is currently possible with other technologies."

About OGT

OGT, a Sysmex Group company, is a leading global provider of clinical and diagnostic genomic solutions that are created for scientists by scientists - including CytoCell^®, CytoSure^® and SureSeq™ ranges of FISH, microarray and NGS products. The company is dedicated to creating products that enable researchers and clinical decision makers to reach the right care decisions for each patient, every time. OGT strives to unlock the future of genetic clinical care with a commitment to working in partnership with its customers - not only by sharing its expertise of 25 years at the forefront of genetic endeavour, but also by working closely with scientists to understand their unique challenges, and to customise its approach to meet their exact needs. Dedicated to improving clinical care, OGT believes that through partnership—together—we’ll achieve more.

For more information on the Company, please visit our website at ogt.com

CytoSure^®, SureSeq™ and myProbes^®: For Research Use Only, not for use in diagnostic procedures. CytoCell: Some products may not be available in your region.

About Sysmex Corporation

Sysmex Corporation is a world leader in clinical laboratory systemization and solutions, including laboratory diagnostics, laboratory automation and clinical information systems. Serving customers for more than 50 years, Sysmex focuses on technological leadership in diagnostic science and information tools that make a difference in the health of people worldwide. The company is also exploring emerging opportunities in the life science field. Its R&D efforts focus on the development of high-value-added testing and diagnostic technologies that are innovative, original and optimize individual health. Sysmex also seeks to leverage its state-of-the-art technologies for cell, gene and protein analysis. The company, headquartered in Kobe, Japan, has subsidiaries in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, China and Asia Pacific and employs more than 9,000 employees worldwide. Sysmex Corporation is listed in the top tier of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

For more information about Sysmex Corporation and its affiliate companies, please visit www.sysmex.co.jp/en/.