Overview
Sequencing of the human genome has brought about a new healthcare paradigm in which disease is understood at the molecular level, providing the potential for a patient to be diagnosed according to genetic information and treated with therapeutics designed to work on specific molecular targets. This has led to the need for accurate, highly sensitive, high-throughput gene expression data by researchers, clinicians and pharmaceutical companies. To this end, WaferGen is developing its SmartChip™ Real-Time PCR System, a next-generation platform, which it believes may facilitate a revolutionary change in gene expression analysis and genotyping, and in doing so, may fundamentally improve the treatment and diagnosis of disease.
SmartChip May Facilitate a Revolutionary Change in Gene Expression Analysis and Genotyping, and In Doing So, May Fundamentally Improve the Treatment and Diagnosis of Disease.
The SmartChip Real-Time PCR System is designed as the first whole genome,
high-throughput gene expression real-time PCR platform and promises to deliver significant speed and cost advantages to researchers in the gene expression and genotyping markets. WaferGen believes the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System will be the first platform to combine the high-throughput capability and cost efficiencies of existing microarrays, with the sensitivity and accuracy of real-time PCR. Specifically, the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System is expected to provide industry-leading throughput levels, while offering discovery and validation in a single step. The result will be the ability to conduct gene expression research at a fraction of the time and cost currently produced by existing instrument systems.
WaferGen has completed development of the alpha version of the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System, as well as proprietary oncology gene panel assays to be used with the system. This product and the oncology assays will begin alpha site testing during the first half of 2008 and beta testing during the second half of 2008. WaferGen plans to provide early access to the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System in 2009.
