OGT awarded SBRI contract to develop innovative NGS analysis software

Oxford, UK – 21 July 2014. OGT, the molecular genetics company, today announced it has been awarded a £200K phase one development contract by the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) healthcare competition.

The contract is to develop whole genome Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) analysis software to increase the accuracy, and enhance the analysis of genomic sequence data. This landmark project has the potential to accelerate the diagnosis of cancer and rare diseases, ultimately supporting patient care and research.

The SBRI is a collaboration between the UK Department of Health and Genomics England Ltd. The initiative operates a competition for funding designed to support the development of innovative technologies that address the requirements of the 100K Genome Project. This includes bioinformatics and analysis algorithms, through to the development of new commercial products for genomic screening and stratified medicine. The contracts are awarded in two phases; the first enables companies to demonstrate the technical feasibility of their product and if successful, they are eligible for a second phase of funding to develop and test the product further.

OGT has considerable experience gained in the design and development of its class-leading software for microarray and NGS data interpretation. The Company will apply this knowledge to develop a clinician-friendly interpretation package for whole genome scale genetic variant data.

Dr Mike Evans, CEO of OGT said: “The award of this contract demonstrates our position at the forefront of NGS data analysis and clinical interpretation plus our ability to rapidly commercialise a resulting product using our extensive international sales and marketing infrastructure. This software will significantly enhance the ability of clinicians to understand and make use of patient genomic data, allowing the delivery of truly personalised medicine.”

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/.