WaferGen is in the early stages of commercializing the SmartChip System, and is currently offering the SmartChip System and the SmartChip Gene Expression Profiling Services as part of its revenue-generating Early-Access Program. This program has resulted in a total of ten Early-Access customers who have purchased systems and/or services, including four who have purchased SmartChip Systems for their research projects. This early success will support the company's primary focus on project-based programs targeting the top 20 biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and the top 40 translational medicine centers.
The SmartChip System includes the 5,184-assay SmartChip, the SmartChip Cycler, and SmartChip Nanodispenser or Multi-Sample Dispenser for investigating candidate genes and microRNA panels for associate changes within disease states. The SmartChip Gene-Expression Profiling Services are provided to universities, research hospitals, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies by WaferGen scientists at the company's headquarters facility in Fremont, Calif.
About DNA Chip Research Services Inc.
DNA Chip Research Inc. was founded in 1999 to conduct business in the development of functional genomics-based technologies and biology and for contract services to Japanese scientists, including university professors in medical, biological, agricultural fields; R&D researchers in pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and human health companies; and researchers in national institutes. DCRI provides researchers with expertise of experimental designs and analytical support as well as conducting experiments. The Director, Kenichi Matsubara, is the founder and organizer of the Japanese Human Genome Project. He is the originator of the BodyMap, in which thousands of messenger RNAs that are assembled in various tissues and cells are measured individually. DCRI currently offers microarray services and has recently started offering MammaPrint, a microarry based molecular diagnostic test that is used to assess the risk that a breast tumor will spread to other parts of the body (metastasis). In addition, they have their own biomarker discovery program.
About WaferGen
WaferGen Biosystems, Inc. is a leader in the development, manufacture and sale of state-of-the-art systems for genome analysis for the life science and pharmaceutical industries. Based on collaborations established with leading research institutions, WaferGen believes that the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System is positioned as the platform of choice for biomarker identification and validation. Combined with next-generation chemistry and optimized assays being developed by WaferGen under the guidance of David Gelfand, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer and one of the pioneers of PCR, this innovative system promises to deliver significant speed and cost advantages to researchers in the gene expression and genotyping markets.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements". Such statements include statements relating to the expected benefits and advantages of the SmartChip service for gene-expression research, the expected benefits and advantages of the SmartChip technology to other applications, the expected throughput levels of the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System, statements regarding the use of the SmartChip by a significant number of Japanese researchers in the future, and other statements relating to future events or to the company's future financial performance and are not historical facts, including statements which may be preceded by the words "intends," "may," "will," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "predicts," "estimates," "aims," "believes," "hopes," "potential" or similar words.