Jan 25 2008
WaferGen Biosystems, Inc. , a leading developer of state-of-the-art gene expression, genotyping, cell biology and stem cell research systems, today announced the formal opening of its new, state-of-the-art subsidiary in Kulim Hi-Tech Park, Kedah, Malaysia. With the opening, the subsidiary, WaferGen Biosystems (M) Sdn. Bhd., will launch various initiatives to support a number of WaferGen's ongoing SmartChip(TM) Real-Time PCR System development and commercialization goals. Most critically, this new organization will oversee several research and development activities related to the SmartChip(TM) Real-Time PCR System, pursue and establish valuable research and development collaborations with local universities and government-run research centers, and coordinate production of the SmartChip system with WaferGen's Malaysia-based contract manufacturer.
"It is with great excitement that we announce today's opening of WaferGen's new subsidiary, WaferGen Biosystems (M) Sdn. Bhd., in Kulim Hi-Tech Park, Kedah, Malaysia, a vibrant city that we view as an emerging hotbed of biotech-related talent, resources and infrastructure. Our commencement of operations in Malaysia represents an important corporate milestone and promises to significantly assist WaferGen in the achievement of an even greater milestone: the commercialization of the revolutionary SmartChip Real-Time PCR System," said Alnoor Shivji, WaferGen's chairman and chief executive officer. "It is important to note that our commitment to Kulim and our operations here is one of long term strategy and vision. This key expansion of WaferGen's presence and capabilities is an important step in not only the commercialization of the SmartChip system but also in enabling the company to continuously enhance the system and broaden its potential applications following its initial launch."
Initial work at the new subsidiary will focus on research and development activities related to the optimization of various gene panel assays to be used with the SmartChip Real-Time PCR system. These assays will have applications across broad clinical and therapeutic areas of focus including various disease targets, as well as toxicology and whole-genome analysis. To support these research and development efforts, WaferGen intends to work with the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) and the Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (BiotechCorp) to facilitate and accelerate the operation of WaferGen Biosystems (M) Sdn. Bhd.
Concurrently, WaferGen plans to initiate research collaborations with leading local universities, as well as Malaysia's Genome Research Center. The focus of these alliances will be the leveraging of the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System for the discovery and identification of new, therapeutically-relevant biomarkers. The research breakthroughs that emerge from these high-value collaborations will provide WaferGen with key opportunities for expanding the breadth of applications for which the SmartChip system and its gene panel assays can be used.
Also in connection with the opening of the new Kulim facility, WaferGen announced that it has entered into a contract manufacture agreement with Pentamaster Corporation Berhad for production of the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System. Pentamaster, a Penang, Malaysia-based company that provides advanced and world class automation solutions and services, will be responsible for the production of the final SmartChip system. Coordination of all production activities by Pentamaster will be handled by the team at WaferGen Biosystems (M) Sdn. Bhd.
WaferGen recently announced the completion of the alpha version of its SmartChip(TM) Real-Time PCR System, as well as proprietary oncology gene panel assays to be used with the system. The system has the capacity to conduct 33,750 assays on a single chip. Comparatively, today's standard real-time PCR technologies are only able to run 384 assays on a single plate. Additionally, each of the system's wells is designed to support a real-time PCR reaction of 100 nanoliters. This represents a 1,000 fold decrease in the amount of reagent and sample required by today's standard real-time PCR technologies. The result is the ability to conduct gene expression research at a fraction of the time and cost associated with current technologies. The system and oncology gene panel assays will begin alpha testing at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School in the near-term.
The company is presently continuing its work on the development of additional proprietary assays for the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System, including those focused in the area of toxicology. At the same time, the company is also developing an enhanced version of the system that will enable users to conduct 100,000 assays on a single chip. This will provide the opportunity for researchers to use one chip to conduct whole genome gene expression in triplicate.