RIKEN GENESIS offers cutting-edge genomic products and services to a wide range of research institutions and corporations, and is a CAP (College of American Pathologists) accredited laboratory for genome analysis services.
Reliable and renewable sources of reference standards are essential for molecular laboratories; however a lack of availability has previously been a major obstacle. Even when patient samples are available, variability in DNA extraction and a lack of standardization have proven to be additional serious sources of error. Horizon’s HDx division has developed reliable and renewable genetically defined and thoroughly validated reference materials, providing an industry standard for the development of and quality control of molecular assays, thereby directly improving their accuracy.
Horizon’s Molecular Reference Standards include FFPE cell line blocks and purified gDNA. In early 2013 HDx launched its first Quantitative Multiplex DNA Reference Standard, intended for researchers assessing multiple biomarkers in a single assay, using platforms such as next generation sequencing (NGS).
“Part of our mission at RIKEN GENESIS is to contribute to translating the results of genetic research into clinical settings,” said Yusuke Tsukahara, President and CEO, RIKEN GENESIS. “Horizon’s Molecular Reference Standards are a valuable step in the move towards practical implementation of personalized medicine, and we are delighted to be working with such a forward looking company.”
“At the cutting edge of genome analysis, RIKEN GENESIS is an ideal partner for Horizon. We aim to affiliate ourselves with the best, like-minded companies for distribution; those dedicated to customer service, cutting edge science and ultimately better patient care,” commented Dr Brian Burke, Business Development Manager, Horizon Diagnostics. “We look forward to working with the team to develop the molecular reference standards market in Japan.”
About Riken Genesis www.rikengenesis.jp/en
Riken Genesis (RG) is a leading company of personalized medicine in Japan succeeding from the internationally renown genomic researches by RIKEN Research Institute.
RG is one of the world’s largest genetic laboratories providing cutting-edge genome analysis services such as whole genome genotyping, whole genome/exome sequencing, whole transcriptome sequencing, and target sequencing. RG analyzes a few hundreds thousands human genome per year. RG’s laboratory is GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) compliant and CAP (College of American Pathologists) accredited.
RG also develops and provides molecular diagnostics products (IDVs and research use kit) in the world. F-PHFA is one of RG’s proprietary assays which is sensitive, robust, and easy-to-use, and suitable for somatic mutation analysis in oncology. RG’s facility is QMS (Quality Management System) and ISO13485 certified.
About Horizon Diagnostics www.horizondx.com
Horizon Diagnostics (HDx), a division of Horizon Discovery Ltd, is an industry-leading provider of quantitative molecular reference standards, including gDNA and cell culture derived FFPE sections. HDx uses a combination of gene editing and digital PCR to engineer reference standards with oncology relevant genotypes at precise allelic frequencies, enabling researchers to establish sensitivity and limit of detection for molecular assays on a routine basis. The vision is for HDx to become the global leader in provision of oncology reference standards across the full range of diagnostic platforms.
About Horizon Discovery www.horizondiscovery.com
Horizon Discovery Limited (Horizon) is a leading provider of research tools to support translational genomics research and the development of personalized medicines. The Company’s proprietary rAAV gene-editing technology, GENESIS™, is industry leading. Using GENESIS, Horizon is able to alter any endogenous gene sequence of a human or mammalian cell-line quickly, reliably and without introducing unwanted and confounding genotypes and/or phenotypes.
Horizon has applied GENESIS to create over 500 X-MAN™ cell lines, the world’s first source of genetically-defined and patient-relevant human cell lines, accurately modeling the disease-causing mutations found in cancer patients. These ‘patients-in-a-test-tube’ are being used by academic and industry leaders to identify the effect of individual or compound genetic mutations on drug activity, patient responsiveness, and resistance, leading to the successful prediction of which patient sub-groups will respond to currently-available and future drug treatments. This enables the design of shorter, more focused, and less expensive clinical trials, ultimately providing the tools to identify the ‘right drugs’ for the ‘right patients’ based upon the unique genetic mutations that define their disease.
In addition to the X-MAN cell lines, Horizon provides GENESIS and X-MAN™ derived products and services, with industrial application in: bio-pharmaceutical process optimization; clinical diagnostic development; drug discovery & development; and the provision of reference standards for genomic-based clinical research platforms.
GENESIS and X-MAN are registered trademarks of Horizon Discovery Limited.
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Contacts:
At Horizon:
Dr Brian Burke
Business Development Manager
Tel: +44 (0) 1223 655 580
Email: b.burke@horizondiscovery.com
Media enquiries:
Katie Odgaard
Zyme Communications
Tel: +44 (0)7787 502 947
Email katie.odgaard@zymecommunications.com
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Horizon Discovery and RIKEN GENESIS sign distribution agreement
16 July 2013
Horizon Diagnostics (HDx), a division of Horizon Discovery and a leading provider of research tools to support the development and prescription of personalized medicines, today announced it has signed a distribution agreement with RIKEN GENESIS, to become sole distributor of HDx’s molecular reference standards in Japan.