GATC Biotech AG http://www.gatc-biotech.com/ en GATC Biotech AG http://www.gatc-biotech.com/EXT:tt_news/ext_icon.gif http://www.gatc-biotech.com/ TYPO3 - get.content.right http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:22:00 +0200 GATC daughter LifeCodexx successfully completes clinical validation of its noninvasive prenatal test method of trisomy 21 http://www.gatc-biotech.com/en/about-us/press/single-view/press-release/2012/04/27/article/gatc-daughter-lifecodexx-successfully-completes-clinical-validation-of-its-noninvasive-prenatal-test.html GATC daughter LifeCodexx AG today announced the successful completion of the clinical validation... GATC daughter LifeCodexx AG today announced the successful completion of the clinical validation study of its noninvasive test method for the detection of fetal trisomy 21 from maternal blood using Next Generation sequencing. First results from the prospective blinded multi-center study demonstrate highest clinical accuracy for the planned commercial PraenaTest® test design based on Cell-Free DNA™ blood collection tubes (BCT), detecting all positive cases of fetal trisomy 21 (100% sensitivity) with no false positive calls (100% specificity).

During the study, five prenatal centers and university hospitals in Germany and Switzerland recruited a total of 522 maternal blood samples from pregnant women with high risk of chromosomal alterations in the unborn child. Gestational age ranged from week 11+0 to 32+1. The main goal of the study was to compare detection rates for trisomy 21 of a test method based on Next Generation sequencing using maternal blood with conventional karyotyping using invasive methods, e.g. amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. For the study, maternal blood was sampled in two different ways, either using regular K3 EDTA blood collection tubes or Cell-Free DNA™ blood collection tubes (BCT). While for the K3 EDTA blood collection tubes the study centers had to prepare blood plasma at their sites before shipment, the use of Cell-Free DNA™ BCT required direct dispatch to LifeCodexx without any prior preparation work at the physician´s site.

First-cut analysis of the full set of recruited samples with 42 positive trisomy 21 cases showed an overall clinical sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 99.5%. However, a more detailed analysis revealed substantial differences between the blood sampling methods with regard to clinical sensitivity and specificity. The results of the blood samples which were stabilised in K3 EDTA blood collection tubes achieved a sensitivity rate of 81.8% and a specificity rate of 98.7% only. In contrast, blood sampling using Cell-Free DNA™ BCT yielded far better results with 100% clinical sensitivity and specificity. Cell-Free DNA™ blood collection tubes preserve cell-free DNA circulating in plasma, allowing sample collection and shipment at room temperature without any additional preparation work at the phycisians’ site.

“These clinical results demonstrate clearly the importance of a reliable and easy sampling  procedure which is mandatory for an accurate noninvasive testing method based on Next Generation Sequencing ,” comments Dr. Wera Hofmann, Medical Director of LifeCodexx AG. “The results also validate our unique cost efficient 12-plex massively parallel sequencing method using Illumina HiSeq 2000 as well as our proprietary bioinformatic analysis technology. As a result, we are able to reliably quantify a possible overabundance of chromosome 21 relative to the amount of the other chromosomes.”

“The results of the study are very encouraging, because they clearly show that the test allows a very reliable noninvasive diagnosis for trisomy 21 in high-risk pregnancies,” comments PD Dr. Markus Stumm from the Berlin Center for Prenatal Diagnosis and Human Genetics. “The new test has the long-term potential to considerably reduce the number of procedure-related pregnancy losses induced by invasive diagnostic methods. It is a very interesting second-tier test, especially for women with an increased aneuploidy risk after first trimester screening.”

“We are currently in the final stage of preparing the regulatory dossier for CE approval so that PraenaTest® will be soon launched as an In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) product. We expect that the test will be available initially within Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein,” says Dr. Michael Lutz, CEO of LifeCodexx.

LifeCodexx will present first results of the clinical study at a number of congresses over the coming weeks, e.g. at the „Tuebinger Praenataltage“ end of April 2012, the congress of the DGPGM in Bonn in May, the European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) in Nuernberg as well as the BGGF in Wuerzburg in June.

 


About PraenaTest®


Based on the use of Next Generation Sequencing technology, the noninvasive prenatal diagnostic PraenaTest® is able to reliably exclude or confirm fetal trisomy 21 from maternal blood samples. As an addition to noninvasive prenatal diagnostics, it is a risk-free alternative to common invasive examination methods such as amniocentesis. PraenaTest® is only available to pregnant women which are in the 12th week of pregnancy or later and which must have a higher risk of chromosomal alterations in the unborn child. Furthermore, in Germany, women with high-risk pregnancies will need to take advice and be informed without prejudice about human genetics by a qualified physician in accordance with the German Genetic Diagnostics Act and the guidelines of the Genetic Diagnostic Commission.


About LifeCodexx AG / www.lifecodexx.com

LifeCodexx AG, a subsidiary of GATC Biotech AG, is a German life science company focusing on the development of clinically validated molecular diagnostic tests based on the use of next generation sequencing techniques. Last year the company has partnered with Sequenom, Inc. (USA) for the commercialization of prenatal laboratory testing services in Europe

 


Press contact:

Dr. Michael Lutz
Chief Executive Officer
m.lutz@lifecodexx.com

 

Elke Decker

Director Strategic Marketing, Communication & Business Administration

e.decker@lifecodexx.com

Tel. +49 7531 81 60 15

]]> Startseite 2012 Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:22:00 +0200 GATC Biotech’s NightXpress sequencing service goes Europe-wide http://www.gatc-biotech.com/en/about-us/press/single-view/press-release/2012/03/28/article/gatc-biotechs-nightxpress-sequencing-service-goes-europe-wide-208.html New Cologne laboratories bring GATC Biotech closer to its customersGATC Biotech, Europe’s leading... New Cologne laboratories bring GATC Biotech closer to its customers

GATC Biotech, Europe’s leading sequencing provider, now offers its overnight sequencing service NightXpress Europe wide. This unique overnight service has been made possible by the recently opened European Custom Sequencing Centre in Cologne.

In the new laboratories GATC Biotech is focusing on Sanger Sequencing with ABI 3730xl. “We chose Cologne as a central location in Europe with the possibly best logistic link. We want to be closer to our customers to ensure shortest delivery times for highly competitive prices”, declares Peter Pohl, CEO of GATC Biotech.

On 420 square metres, with a fleet of Hamilton robotics and a 24-hour production the new laboratories are perfectly adjusted to the company’s fully automatic processing pipeline. These improvements make NightXpress available for all clients throughout all parts of Europe and guarantee the most convenient and fastest service.

In Constance, the company’s headquarters, GATC Biotech is building up the European Genome and Diagnostics Centre with focus on Next and Third Generation sequencing as well as on diagnostic services.

 

Press contact:
Elke Decker
GATC Biotech AG
Director Strategic Marketing & Corp Comm
e.decker@gatc-biotech.com

]]> Startseite 2012 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 11:26:00 +0200 GATC Biotech and LifeCodexx complete recruitment of blood samples for clinical study of trisomy 21 diagnostic test http://www.gatc-biotech.com/en/about-us/press/single-view/press-release/2012/01/10/article/gatc-biotech-and-lifecodexx-complete-recruitment-of-blood-samples-for-clinical-study-of-trisomy-21-d-2.html Results of study to be available in the first quarter 2012 GATC Biotech AG and its subsidiary... Results of study to be available in the first quarter 2012

 

GATC Biotech AG and its subsidiary LifeCodexx AG successfully completed the recruitment of over 500 blood samples required for the clinical study of the non-invasive prenatal diagnostic test for the determination of trisomy 21 (LifeCodexx PraenaTest™). The prospective and blinded study evaluates this new molecular genetic method in comparison with conventional invasive methods and is based on the Next Generation sequencing of cell-free fetal DNA from maternal blood.

 

For the first time ever multiplexing the analysis on an Illumina HiSeq 2000 could be increased from previously seven to now twelve samples leading to increased cost efficiency. In addition, blood sampling and shipping was simplified, as the physician is no longer required to prepare the blood plasma before shipping and can now send the sample at ambient temperature.

 

The results of the study will be available in the first quarter of 2012. Then, following CE certification, the LifeCodexx PraenaTest™ will initially be introduced in German speaking countries in the second quarter of the year.

 

“We are very pleased to have the sample recruitment completed within six months. We sincerely thank all participating women and physicians for their support of the evaluation of this new diagnostic method,” said Dr. Michael Lutz, CEO of LifeCodexx AG. “We are very confident that the study will achieve the same positive results of previous pilot studies with regard to specificity and sensitivity. Then we will be able to offer a very reliable and safe diagnostic test to many women with high risk pregnancies, saving them from invasive prenatal methods.”

 

The clinical study was conducted jointly with several Central European prenatal diagnostics centers and scientists at GATC Biotech AG and LifeCodexx AG. Currently, the only reliable way of diagnosing chromosomal irregularities during pregnancy is to use invasive prenatal methods. This causes miscarriage in about one per cent of these risky surgical procedures.

]]> Startseite 2012 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:49:00 +0100 GATC Biotech expands its sequencing laboratories in Constance and Cologne http://www.gatc-biotech.com/en/about-us/press/single-view/press-release/2011/11/10/article/gatc-biotech-expands-its-sequencing-laboratories-in-constance-and-cologne-200.html 30 new jobs are planned in 2012 Europe’s leading sequencing service provider GATC Biotech... 30 new jobs are planned in 2012

 

Europe’s leading sequencing service provider GATC Biotech continues to grow in 2012. The company will expand the laboratories at its headquarters in Constance and plans to establish a new site in Cologne, Germany.

The premises in Constance will become the new European Genome and Diagnostics Center with GATC Biotech’s fleet of Next and Third Generation sequencing systems, such as Illumina HiSeq 2000 and Pacific Biosciences PacBio RS. There the company will focus on genome sequencing projects, offering its customers true multiplatform sequencing strategies. Furthermore, the laboratories of the daughter company LifeCodexx will be extended to provide the necessary capacity for the upcoming non-invasive molecular genetic prenatal diagnostic test for trisomy 21.

The new laboratory in Cologne will concentrate on single sample sequencing due to its central location in Europe and its excellent infrastructure. With the improved logistics and closeness to customers the company will be able to offer shortest delivery times and highly competitive prices.

GATC Biotech will therefore create more than 30 new jobs in the coming year for both sites and grow to a total of 170 employees. Thus, the company’s workforce will have more than quadrupled since 2006.

“Rapidly developing new technologies and high price pressure are the key market drivers in our business. With our clear focus and strategy of consolidation we will meet the new challenges successfully. I would like to express my gratitude to all our employees who are actively supporting the decisions and drive them forward with highly motivated spirit,” says Peter Pohl, CEO of GATC Biotech and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of LifeCodexx AG.

 

 

Press contact:


Elke Decker
GATC Biotech AG
Director Strategic Marketing & Corp Comm
e.decker@gatc-biotech.com

]]> Startseite 2011 Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:01:00 +0100 Internationalization is firmly anchored in the company DNA http://www.gatc-biotech.com/en/about-us/press/single-view/press-release/2011/10/10/article/internationalization-is-firmly-anchored-in-the-company-dna-199.html The establishment of a subsidiary in London in 2004 heralded the presence on the international... The establishment of a subsidiary in London in 2004 heralded the presence on the international market of Konstanz-based GATC, which now has subsidiaries in England, France and Sweden comprising a total of ...read more on BIOPRO websites

]]> Startseite 2011 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:42:00 +0200 Sequenom announces European licensing agreement with GATC daughter LifeCodexx http://www.gatc-biotech.com/en/about-us/press/single-view/press-release/2011/08/11/article/sequenom-announces-european-licensing-agreement-with-gatc-daughter-lifecodexx-195.html San Diego, Calif./Konstanz, Germany - Sequenom, Inc. (NASDAQ: SQNM), a life sciences company... San Diego, Calif./Konstanz, Germany - Sequenom, Inc. (NASDAQ: SQNM), a life sciences company providing innovative genetic analysis solutions, today announced it has partnered with LifeCodexx AG, a company focused on the development of clinically validated Next Generation Molecular Diagnostics, for the commercialization of prenatal laboratory testing services in Europe.  The companies have agreed to collaborate in the development and launch of a trisomy 21 laboratory developed test and other aneuploidies testing in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, with the potential for additional launches in other countries.

The completion of the agreement with LifeCodexx initiates Sequenom’s first European commercial partnership in the field of non-invasive prenatal diagnostics.  Under this initial five year licensing agreement, Sequenom has granted LifeCodexx licenses to key patent rights, including European Patent EP0994963B1 and pending application EP2183693A1, that enable the development and commercialization of a non-invasive aneuploidy test utilizing circulating cell free fetal DNA in maternal plasma.  Per the agreement, LifeCodexx will make certain upfront and minimum annual royalty payments to Sequenom as well as royalties based on sales of testing services.

“This agreement enables us to extend the licensing rights to our proprietary testing modality internationally, and we are excited to be partnering with a high quality laboratory like LifeCodexx in this endeavor,” said Harry F. Hixson, Chairman and CEO of Sequenom, Inc.  “This is the first of our ex-U.S. licensing agreements that enables a partner to commercialize a trisomy 21 laboratory developed test, another step in bringing this test to market and in achieving our corporate goals set forth for 2011.”
“We are pleased to be the first to partner with Sequenom and to initially provide this testing service to German speaking regions of the European market. We are now in a strong position to exploit the clinical utility and proprietary science behind the noninvasive detection of trisomy 21 and eventually other aneuploidies using shotgun sequencing as initially developed by Dr. Dennis Lo and his team,” added Dr. Michael Lutz, CEO of LifeCodexx AG. “Building upon our recently initiated clinical validation study for our trisomy 21 test, this agreement is another key milestone with respect to our goal of launching our first test by late 2011.”

About Sequenom
Sequenom, Inc. (NASDAQ: SQNM) is a life sciences company committed to improving healthcare through revolutionary genetic analysis solutions. Sequenom develops innovative technology, products and diagnostic tests that target and serve discovery and clinical research, and molecular diagnostics markets. The company was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in San Diego, California. Sequenom maintains a Web site at www.sequenom.com to which Sequenom regularly posts copies of its press releases as well as additional information about Sequenom. Interested persons can subscribe on the Sequenom Web site to email alerts or RSS feeds that are sent automatically when Sequenom issues press releases, files its reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission or posts certain other information to the Web site.

About LifeCodexx
LifeCodexx is a subsidiary of GATC Biotech, Europe´s leading provider of DNA sequencing services. The company focuses on the development of clinically validated next generation molecular diagnostics by applying its expertise in the field of next generation sequencing. The current focus is on prenatal diagnostics.

Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements regarding expectations for the commercialization of prenatal laboratory testing services in Europe including a trisomy 21 laboratory developed test and other aneuploidy tests, the duration of and collaboration, performance, sales and payment expectations under the licensing agreement, the potential for additional launches in other countries, bringing a trisomy 21 test to market, Sequenom’s corporate goals for 2011, and Sequenom’s commitment to improving healthcare through revolutionary genetic analysis solutions, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including the risks and uncertainties associated with reliance upon the collaborative efforts of other parties such as LifeCodexx, Sequenom’s and its partner’s ability to develop and commercialize new technologies and products, particularly new technologies such as prenatal and other diagnostics and laboratory developed tests, Sequenom’s ability to manage its existing cash resources or raise additional cash resources, competition, intellectual property protection and intellectual property rights of others, government regulation particularly with respect to diagnostic products and laboratory developed tests, obtaining or maintaining regulatory approvals, ongoing litigation and investigations and other risks detailed from time to time in Sequenom, Inc.’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are based on current information that may change and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Sequenom, Inc. undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the issuance of this press release.


Sequenom Contacts:
Marcy Graham         
Senior Director, Investor Relations & Corp Comm         
Sequenom, Inc.        
858-202-9028        
mgraham@sequenom.com

Sarah Thailing
Principal
Wordanista
619-994-1895
sarah@wordanista.com
 
LifeCodexx AG Contacts:    
Dr. Michael Lutz         
Chief Executive Officer        
LifeCodexx AG        
+49 (0) 7531 81 60 15        

Elke Decker
GATC Biotech AG
Director Strategic Marketing & Corp Comm
e.decker@gatc-biotech.com

]]> 2011 Startseite Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:00:00 +0200 GATC Biotech and the ETH Zurich to establish Method for Quality Assurance in Food Production http://www.gatc-biotech.com/en/about-us/press/single-view/press-release/2011/07/21/article/gatc-biotech-and-the-eth-zurich-to-establish-method-for-quality-assurance-in-food-production-192.html Method to be based on Multiplatform Sequencing including the new PacBio RS system GATC Biotech,... Method to be based on Multiplatform Sequencing including the new PacBio RS system

 

GATC Biotech, in collaboration with the Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), is developing a cost efficient method for taxonomic characterization of microbial communities present in food. This industry related application, which is realized at GATC Biotech in Konstanz, aims to explore the causes for spoilage of cheese during industrial production and analyzes the complexity in bacterial populations, providing general understanding about spoilage of biological goods.

 

GATC Biotech will establish new methods for quality assurance that will provide valuable information concerning food safety quality control, optimization of production yields as well as food production processes. This quality assurance method will be applicable to many other industrial feed or food production fields, e.g. in fisheries, butcheries, breweries, or wherever production is based on directed formation of complex microbial ecological systems in goods.

 

“The project will be performed by multiplatform sequencing, using all leading sequencing technologies, including our latest acquisition, the PacBio RS from Pacific Biosciences”, explains Dr. Kerstin Stangier, Director Business Development at GATC Biotech. “With this new Third Generation Sequencing technology, DNA and RNA of a consortium of microbial population can be sequenced at a time - including epigenome sequencing and characterization. We are therefore able to provide a time- and cost-effective method in accordance to GATC Biotech’s declared aim to offer our customers the best possible value for their sequencing projects.”


The Metatxn Project is funded by the BMWi (Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology) with around 120,000 Euros.

]]> Startseite 2011 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:16:00 +0200 Successful start of the clinical validation study of the non-invasive, prenatal diagnostic test for the determination of trisomy 21 http://www.gatc-biotech.com/en/about-us/press/single-view/press-release/2011/06/28/article/successful-start-of-the-clinical-validation-study-of-the-non-invasive-prenatal-diagnostic-test-for.html Method based on Illumina HiSeq 2000 validatedIn conjunction with several Central European prenatal... Method based on Illumina HiSeq 2000 validated

In conjunction with several Central European prenatal centers, scientists at GATC Biotech AG and LifeCodexx AG have begun the clinical validation study of a non-invasive diagnostic test based on next generation sequencing.

The test detects fetal trisomy 21 (Down’s syndrome) and is based on the sequencing cell-free fetal DNA from maternal blood. More than 150 samples could be collected within a short time. At least 500 samples are required for the study. To improve cost efficiency and productivity, the method was successfully validated beforehand on the IlluminaHiSeq 2000 Next Generation Sequencing System with 38 samples.

“Our method allows pooling of at least seven samples for parallel analysis on the HiSeq 2000,” said Dr. Michael Lutz, CEO of LifeCodexx AG, “in this manner we can sink the costs per analyzed sample by more than 50 percent. We are right on our schedule with the validation study and are confident that we will be able to launch the prenatal diagnostic test onto the market as planned at the end of 2011.”

GATC Biotech und LifeCodexx will present the results of their current studies at the World Congress in Fetal Medicine on Malta in June as well as at the Conference of the European Cytogenetics Association in Porto, Portugal, in July.

 

Contact:

 

LifeCodexx AG

Dr. Michael Lutz

Chief Executive Officer

m.lutz@lifecodexx.com

+49 (0) 7531 81 60 15


GATC Biotech AG

Elke Decker

Director Strategic Marketing & Corporate Communications

e.decker@gatc-biotech.com

]]> Startseite 2011 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 07:00:00 +0200 GATC Biotech and LifeCodexx develop a diagnostic test for early detection of preeclampsia http://www.gatc-biotech.com/en/about-us/press/single-view/press-release/2011/05/12/article/gatc-biotech-and-lifecodexx-develop-a-diagnostic-test-for-early-detection-of-preeclampsia-185.html Project is funded with 500,000 Euros from the BMBF Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder... Project is funded with 500,000 Euros from the BMBF


Preeclampsia  is a hypertensive disorder of the mother during pregnancy. It is among the leading causes of death of mother and unborn child and occurs in approximately two to five percent of all pregnancies in Germany. Early detection is critical and improves the prognosis for the further course of the pregnancy.


On the basis of next generation sequencing technologies GATC Biotech and LifeCodexx will develop a human genetic diagnostic test that will allow the detection of cell-free fetal DNA as an important early marker. The test would allow a reliable risk assessment before symptoms appear. The project is supported by grants from the KMU Innovation Program of the Federal Ministry for Research and Education with 500,000 Euros over the next two years.


"Currently there is no reliable method to predict preeclampsia. This new genetic test will therefore provide additional assurance early in pregnancy," said Dr. Wera Hofmann, Medical Director of LifeCodexx AG.


"We will immediately investigate the new PacBio RS technology for use in the test protocol. This sequencing system of the Third Generation can analyze single molecules in real-time within minutes. Costs and duration of the diagnostic test could be drastically reduced,” added Peter Pohl, CEO of GATC Biotech and chairman of the LifeCodexx.


“We are pleased to have a second diagnostic test in our development pipeline, in addition to the non-invasive prenatal diagnostic test for the determination of trisomy 21. It is another step forward towards our goal to become a leader in the field of Next Generation Molecular Diagnostics,” said Dr. Michael Lutz, CEO of LifeCodexx AG.


Contact:

LifeCodexx AG

Dr. Michael Lutz

Chief Executive Officer

m.lutz@lifecodexx.com

+49 (0) 7531 81 60 15


GATC Biotech AG

Elke Decker

Director Strategic Marketing & Corporate Communications

e.decker@gatc-biotech.com

 

]]> Startseite 2011 Thu, 12 May 2011 09:38:00 +0200 Successful pilot study for non-invasive prenatal diagnostic test to determine trisomy 21 http://www.gatc-biotech.com/en/about-us/press/single-view/press-release/2011/04/14/article/successful-pilot-study-for-non-invasive-prenatal-diagnostic-test-to-determine-trisomy-21-181.html Launch planned for end of 2011 At the moment, the only reliable way of diagnosing chromosomal... Launch planned for end of 2011

 

At the moment, the only reliable way of diagnosing chromosomal irregularities during pregnancy is to use invasive prenatal methods. This causes miscarriage in about one per cent of these risky surgical procedures.
 
Scientists from the Center for Prenatal Diagnosis and Human Genetics, Kudamm-199, in Berlin have been working with scientists from GATC Biotech AG and LifeCodexx AG to develop a non-invasive diagnostic test based on Next Generation Sequencing which reliably detects a fetal trisomy 21 (Down syndrome). The test is based on the sequencing of cell free fetal DNA from the maternal blood, and in the foreseeable future it could become a no-risk alternative to the invasive prenatal examinations such as the analysis of amniotic fluid (amniocentesis) which are currently used.
 
The pilot study involved the development of an analytical method based on the publications by Chiu et al. which was verified with more than forty clinical samples. Analyses carried out with the Illumina Genome Analyzer IIx Next Generation Sequencing system unambiguously detected all eight positive samples. The test had a sensitivity and a specificity of 100%. The results were confirmed by conventional karyotyping.
 
“The results of the pilot study are very promising. From a clinical point of view, the test could be introduced relatively quickly for women with high-risk pregnancies, in particular, and used alongside the existing methods to detect genetic chromosomal abnormalities non-invasively,” says PD Dr. Markus Stumm from the Berlin Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, who presented the results of the pilot study in March during the Annual Conference of the German Society of Human Genetics in Regensburg/Germany.
 
“Prenatal diagnostics with multiplex sequencing are still very expensive. In order to drastically reduce costs in the near future, we are in the process of developing a method which allows the pooling of several samples for parallel analysis with the Illumina HiSeq2000 sequencing system,” says Peter Pohl, CEO of GATC Biotech AG and Head of the Supervisory Board of LifeCodexx AG.
 
“The method development will be concluded soon. The clinical validation study with at least 500 samples will then start immediately. We are very confident that this will also be successful. Our first prenatal diagnostic test could then be launched at the end of 2011,” said Dr. Michael Lutz, CEO of LifeCodexx AG.
 
The project was supported by BMBF funding from the ZimSolo and KMU-Innovativ programs.

Press contact:
LifeCodexx AG
Dr. Michael Lutz
Chief Executive Officer
m.lutz@lifecodexx.com
+49 (0) 7531 81 60 15

 

GATC Biotech AG

Elke Decker

Director Strategic Marketing & Corporate Communication

e.decker@gatc-biotech.com

]]> Startseite 2011 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 09:35:00 +0200 GATC Biotech Ltd. once again becomes a preferred supplier to the Research Councils of the UK http://www.gatc-biotech.com/en/about-us/press/single-view/press-release/2011/02/25/article/gatc-biotech-ltd-once-again-becomes-a-preferred-supplier-to-the-research-councils-of-the-uk-175-2.html Following the previously won tender of 2006, GATC Biotech Ltd. (London) has again been... Following the previously won tender of 2006, GATC Biotech Ltd. (London) has again been selected as a preferred supplier of DNA sequencing by the Research Councils UK Shared Services Centre Ltd (RCUK SSC Ltd.) until the end of 2012.

 

The company will provide its single read sequencing services to all RCUK laboratories, including the Medical Research Council (MRC), the Institute of Animal Health (IAH), the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) to name a few.

 

Their unique NightXpress Service was one of the key arguments for selecting the London based GATC Biotech among a wide range of international companies.  It is a "5-to-9" overnight sequencing service which reduces the delivery time of results to just 16 hours from sample collection.

 

Richard Fowles for the RCUK SSC Ltd. commented: “GATC Biotech have been a preferred supplier for DNA sequencing since 2006. They have proven to be a reliable and innovative partner for many years. With NightXpress they are offering an extremely fast service which will provide our scientists with considerable time savings.”

]]> Startseite 2011 Fri, 25 Feb 2011 11:57:00 +0100 Mayor Horst Frank: GATC is a Constance flagship company http://www.gatc-biotech.com/en/about-us/press/single-view/press-release/2011/01/27/article/mayor-horst-frank-gatc-is-a-constance-flagship-company-171-2.html The GATC Biotech management and employees welcomed local political and industrial leaders, the... The GATC Biotech management and employees welcomed local political and industrial leaders, the architect, and construction companies to celebrate the inauguration of the newly constructed GATC facilities in Constance.

 

For Mayor Horst Frank GATC Biotech is a model company for the area. He looks forward to many imitators, "Being an innovation leader, GATC Biotech helps to establish the Lake Constance region as a center for industrial innovation.”

 

“We are very glad to have the extra laboratory and office space,” says CEO Peter Pohl,” finally we have enough room to realize our plans and ideas in the future.”

 

From 2009 to 2012 GATC Biotech will have invested more than five million Euros in its Constance site. By the end of 2011 the workforce will be increased from currently 120 to 140.

]]> Startseite 2011 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 16:47:00 +0100 GATC Biotech opens third sequencing laboratory in Europe http://www.gatc-biotech.com/en/about-us/press/single-view/press-release/2010/11/17/article/gatc-biotech-opens-third-sequencing-laboratory-in-europe-167-1.html Facilities will be situated in Düsseldorf, GermanyGATC Biotech’s new sequencing laboratory will... Facilities will be situated in Düsseldorf, Germany

GATC Biotech’s new sequencing laboratory will be their second in Germany and will be located in the Life Science Center Düsseldorf. Through the new facilities, scientists from Northern Germany and adjacent countries will benefit from GATC Biotech’s special overnight service, called NightXpress, which was first introduced in 2007. This single sample sequencing service reduces delivery times close to half a day from sample collection. The new laboratory will be subject to the same stringent quality standards and automation as the laboratories in GATC Biotech’s headquarters in Constance (Germany). It will start operations on January 4, 2011.

Jochen Schäfer, Director Custom Sequencing at GATC Biotech, comments: “We see a growing need in providing sequencing services with shortest turnaround times, therefore it is essential to be closer to our customers. The Life Science Center Düsseldorf just offers the perfect infrastructure and geographic location.”
 

About the Life Science Center Düsseldorf

The Life Science Center Düsseldorf (LSC) is the technology and entrepreneur center for Düsseldorf in Life Sciences (e.g. Biotechnology, Medical and Pharmaceutical Science) and further technologies.

The LSC supports founders, young enterprises and research institutions in turning their scientific know-how into a marketable product or process. This also applies to companies that are already successful in the marketplace and wish to expand. The LSC consists of two buildings that perfectly complement each other: the Technology Center with laboratory infrastructure (S2 standard) and associated offices. Vis á vis the representative Office Building, in which the service companies can assist and support the companies located in the Technology Center.

 

]]> Startseite 2010 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 09:59:00 +0100 GATC subsidiary LifeCodexx appoints Head of Commercial Operations http://www.gatc-biotech.com/en/about-us/press/single-view/press-release/2010/11/02/article/gatc-subsidiary-lifecodexx-appoints-head-of-commercial-operations-164-1.html Former Brahms sales manager boosts LifeCodexx team LifeCodexx AG announces that Dr. Martin... Former Brahms sales manager boosts LifeCodexx team

 

LifeCodexx AG announces that Dr. Martin Burow, a proven expert in the field of prenatal diagnostics, has joined its team as Head of Commercial Operations. www.lifecodexx.com/en/news.html

 

]]> Startseite 2010 Tue, 02 Nov 2010 15:51:00 +0100 GATC Biotech to sequence 100,000 human genomes by 2014 http://www.gatc-biotech.com/en/about-us/press/single-view/press-release/2010/09/24/article/gatc-biotech-to-sequence-100000-human-genomes-by-2014-159-2.html PacBio RS to support studies on rare variant, and structural variations and methylation... PacBio RS to support studies on rare variant, and structural variations and methylation patterns

 

Within the next four years GATC Biotech plans to analyse 100,000 human genomes in particular for the pharmaceutical and diagnostic industry as well as for academic research. This will be realised by applying Illumina’s HiSeq 2000 as well as GATC Biotech’s latest acquisition, the single molecule sequencing platform PacBio RS.

To achieve this goal, GATC Biotech expands its business portfolio by opening a business unit for human genome analysis. This new strategic unit is located in the company’s German headquarters and focuses on the sequencing and bioinformatic analysis of human samples of all sizes; from small enriched regions to entire genomes.

“By the end of 2010 we will have analysed more than 100 human genomes, an even higher number as announced in 2007,” comments Dr. Kerstin Stangier, Director Business Development and head of the new business unit. “Based on this experience and know-how, we can offer highest flexibility and quality as well as short delivery times. The new business unit includes a LIMS controlled production workflow with automated library preparation and an extensive bioinformatics pipeline which can be adapted to any project goal. Current collaborations, for example with the International Cancer Genome Consortium, have been very helpful for the development of this pipeline.”

GATC Biotech is Europe’s leading sequencing service provider. The company more than doubled its staff within the past three years and has currently close to 120 employees.


]]> Startseite 2010 Fri, 24 Sep 2010 12:24:00 +0200 GATC Biotech to be First European Service Provider for the PacBio RS http://www.gatc-biotech.com/en/about-us/press/single-view/press-release/2010/09/22/article/gatc-biotech-to-be-first-european-service-provider-for-the-pacbio-rs-155-1.html Pacific Biosciences single molecule, real-time sequencer RS expected to be installed in Konstanz in... Pacific Biosciences single molecule, real-time sequencer RS expected to be installed in Konstanz in early 2011

 

GATC Biotech announced today that it has agreed to purchase the PacBio RS platform, a single molecule, real-time (SMRT™) sequencing technology. The new PacBio RS will be the fifth sequencing technology for GATC Biotech. The system is planned for installation in early 2011.

GATC Biotech plans to use the new platform for resolving structural variations, for example in human cancer genomes, and for the detection and confirmation of rare SNPs. In addition, the future application to enable direct sequencing of methylated bases will make the system attractive for regulatory studies, for example for the pharmaceutical or diagnostics industry.

“Pacific Biosciences has chosen GATC Biotech to be our first European service provider because the company is well experienced in applying major sequencing technologies in a broad spectrum of projects and in gearing up new sequencing technologies quickly for lab routines,” comments Terry Pizzie, Vice President, Europe for Pacific Biosciences.

“We are looking forward to offering our customers PacBio’s third-generation sequencing platform and are confident that we will be able to offer the SMRT technology to our customers within a short period of time after successful installation,” adds Thomas Pohl, Chief Technology Officer of GATC Biotech.

GATC Biotech is Europe’s leading sequencing service provider. The company more than doubled its staff within the past three years and has currently close to 120 employees.

]]> Startseite 2010 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 10:51:00 +0200 GATC Biotech purchases second Illumina HiSeq 2000 http://www.gatc-biotech.com/en/about-us/press/single-view/press-release/2010/07/07/article/gatc-biotech-purchases-second-illumina-hiseq-2000-152-2.html GATC Biotech today announced the acquisition of an additional Illumina HiSeq 2000 sequencing... GATC Biotech today announced the acquisition of an additional Illumina HiSeq 2000 sequencing platform. The new system will be ready for production within July, just a few months after the first system has been successfully taken into operation. Due to the high cost-effectiveness and sequencing output the company uses the HiSeq 2000 systems mainly for sequencing pediatric brain tumors within the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC), for large population studies and complex screenings of mutations which cause rare diseases. The new acquisition increases GATC Biotech's sequencing capacity to nearly twenty terabases per year.

]]> Startseite 2010 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:24:00 +0200 GATC Biotech sequences pediatric brain tumors for the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) http://www.gatc-biotech.com/en/about-us/press/single-view/press-release/2010/05/18/article/gatc-biotech-sequences-pediatric-brain-tumors-for-the-international-cancer-genome-consortium-icgc-4.html In collaboration with the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) / PedBrainTumor Project funded by... In collaboration with the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) / PedBrainTumor Project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research and German Cancer Aid

 

GATC Biotech to sequence samples from brain tumors in children for the world’s largest cancer research project. The aim of the German PedBrainTumor Consortium within the ICGC is to develop innovative diagnostic methods and treatments in order to be able to provide children with therapies which have fewer side effects in future.

 

GATC Biotech sequences genomes from tumor tissues and the corresponding controls from healthy samples of the same patients. It uses sequencing technologies from Illumina Inc., including the new Illumina HiSeq 2000. This instrument is currently the most efficient sequencing system with up to 200 gigabases per run. The complete genomes are sequenced with a 30-fold coverage to ensure reliable data analysis. The data will be supplied to the DKFZ in fall 2010. The order value is Euro 750,000.

 

“Brain tumors are the main cause of cancer deaths in childhood. Therapies with few side effects are urgently required to make it easier for the children to bear the taxing treatment. The PedBrainTumor Project will bring us a great deal further forward in the development of such therapies. GATC Biotech proved itself to be a reliable sequencing partner in the pilot phase of the project and so we are now continuing that successful collaboration,” comments Professor Peter Lichter, project leader and spokesman of the German ICGC group.

 

“We are fully aware of the importance of this project and our responsibility. We are very proud to be allowed to support the DKFZ within the framework of the PedBrainTumor project,” says Peter Pohl, CEO of GATC Biotech.

 

The PedBrainTumor Consortium, a German contribution to the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC), will receive Euro 15 million from the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) and German Cancer Aid (Deutsche Krebshilfe e.V.) over five years. The project is managed by the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and will investigate the molecular genetic causes of pediatric brain tumors. The scientists expect the results to provide starting points for new innovative therapies.

 

The German Cancer Research Center in brief
The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) is the largest biomedical research facility in Germany and a member of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. More than 2,000 members of staff, including 850 scientists, study the mechanisms of carcinogenesis and work on the compilation of cancer risk factors. They provide the bases for the development of new approaches to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancers. Furthermore, the staff of the Cancer Information Service (KID) inform cancer sufferers, relatives and anyone who is interested about this endemic disease. The Center receives 90 percent of its funding from the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research and 10 percent from the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg.

]]> Startseite 2010 Tue, 18 May 2010 06:25:00 +0200 GATC subsidiary LifeCodexx AG develops tests for prenatal diagnostics http://www.gatc-biotech.com/en/about-us/press/single-view/press-release/2010/04/28/article/gatc-subsidiary-lifecodexx-ag-develops-tests-for-prenatal-diagnostics-143-1.html Financing supported by public funding / former General Manager of Cogenics appointed as... Financing supported by public funding / former General Manager of Cogenics appointed as CEO
LifeCodexx AG has started operational research and development work on clinically validated diagnostic tests by using Next Generation Sequencing technologies. The work currently focuses on the field of prenatal diagnostics. LifeCodexx will utilize GATC Biotech’s 20 years of experience as well as its sequencing laboratory, which is the European leader with a total capacity of more than 2 terabases per year.


LifeCodexx AG aims to successfully establish “Next Generation Molecular Diagnostics” in Europe. This will provide improved diagnostics for targeted, cost-efficient treatments. LifeCodexx AG is owned by GATC Biotech AG, which has a majority holding in the company, and other private investors. The test development currently being undertaken also receives public funding, including up to EUR 300,000 from the ZIMSolo and KMU Innovativ funding programs.


LifeCodexx AG has been able to convince a CEO with know-how in this field to join the company - Dr Michael Lutz, former Global General Manager of Cogenics and CEO of Epidauros AG. Dr Lutz has many years of experience in developing and managing innovative biotech companies.


“LifeCodexx AG has a revolutionary concept - to carry out human genetic diagnostic tests based on state of the art sequencing technologies. This will drastically improve cost efficiency in diagnostics. LifeCodexx AG will be a trailblazer here," enthuses Peter Pohl, CEO of GATC Biotech and Chairman of the Board of LifeCodexx AG.


“Our test pipeline in prenatal diagnostics shows encouraging results which we will present in the coming months. I am delighted to be able to apply my experience to these innovative projects,” emphasizes Dr. Michael Lutz, new CEO of LifeCodexx AG.


Presscontact:

LifeCodexx AG

Dr. Michael Lutz

Chief Executive Officer

m.lutz@lifecodexx.com

+49 (0) 7531 81 60 15

]]> Startseite 2010 Wed, 28 Apr 2010 13:24:00 +0200 BioLago paves the way for a new project for breast cancer therapy http://www.gatc-biotech.com/en/about-us/press/single-view/press-release/2010/03/04/article/biolago-paves-the-way-for-a-new-project-for-breast-cancer-therapy-139-1.html German-Austrian cooperation within the life science network at Lake Constance ... German-Austrian cooperation within the life science network at Lake Constance  |  Hope for breast cancer patients – under the leadership of the Vorarlberg Institute for Vascular Investigation and Treatment (VIVIT), a cross border cooperation is to start between hospitals and bioanalytical laboratories of the Rhine Valley and Lake Constance region. It is aimed at exploring the influence genetic material (DNA) has on the progression of breast cancer and the response to breast cancer treatment. A collaboration, which became possible thanks to the BioLAGO association.

 

Over the past few years, the range of treatment options for breast cancer has improved significantly. A number of therapies using new drugs will become available in the foreseeable future. Not every patient, however, responds well to these therapies. The course of disease can therefore vary considerably from one person to another, causing severe side effects in some patients. One reason for these individual differences lies in the variability of our genetic material, the DNA.

 

In cooperation with the Feldkirch District Hospital (Landeskrankenhaus Feldkirch) and the Lake Constance Breast Centre (Brustzentrum Bodensee) represented by the Gynaecological Hospital at the Constance Hospital (Klinikum Konstanz) as well as GATC Biotech AG, Constance, genetic alterations which influence, for example, the effect of drugs are analysed on the basis of comprehensive and well characterised patient groups, using state-of-the-art laboratory techniques. “By means of tissue and blood samples, we will carefully examine certain patient DNA regions which may influence the mechanism of action or the metabolism of drugs,” explains Axel Mündlein, Head of Laboratory at VIVIT in Dornbirn.

 

Fewer side effects due to optimal forms of therapy

Information gained from the genetic analysis of a breast cancer sufferer should help to derive a therapeutic approach which is best suited to the individual patient. Likewise, treatments to which patients do not respond should be excluded early on and avoidable side effects and unnecessary cost to the health care system should be reduced significantly. First results should become available by 2011, and the project is due to be completed by mid-2013. The project is co-financed with funds from the EU and the Interreg IV-Programme "Alpenrhein-Bodensee-Hochrhein".

 

BioLAGO Association got the ball rolling

“Without the BioLAGO-platform this project wouldn´t exist “, states Axel Mündlein. The idea for the project was borne when Mündlein and Peter Pohl, CEO of GATC, a biotechnology company in Constance, met and exchanged views at an event organised by the BioLAGO-network. About a year ago the two members first came into contact within the network for modern life sciences. According to the geneticist Mündlein the advantages of the cooperation are obvious: “GATC has the latest technologies to decode the human genome at its disposal, and, in addition, the geographical proximity facilitates effective cooperation “, explains Mündlein.

 

The cooperation is dominated by the concept of BioLAGO, an association founded in 2007. Since mid-2008, the international network has a central office at the Technology Centre Constance and is working intensively on bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs and medical practitioners to develop new projects and products as well as to strengthen the economic position of the region. “This project proves that the integration of research and business sector within the frame of an industry –specific platform is bearing fruit “, observes Andreas Baur, CEO of BioLAGO.

 

 

VIVIT (Vorarlberg Institute for Vascular Investigation and Treatment)

VIVIT ist ein privater gemeinnütziger Trägerverein zur Forcierung der angewandten medizinischen Forschung in der Region Vorarlberg. Schwerpunkte der Forschung des VIVIT sind Diabetes mellitus, Herzerkrankungen,  Beingefäßerkrankungen und Schlaganfall sowie Themen aus der Onkologie und Nephrologie. Hierbei können alle Fachrichtungen auf Analysedienstleistungen eines eigens dafür eingerichteten molekularbiologischen Labors zurückgreifen, um u.a. erbliche bedingte Prädispositionen für Erkrankungen in den genannten Bereichen zu untersuchen. Neben seinen Forschungstätigkeiten führt das VIVIT klinische Studien im Auftrag überregionaler Unternehmen am akademischen Lehrkrankenhaus Feldkirch durch. Das VIVIT gehört im Bereich der vaskulären Forschung österreichweit zu den aktivsten Instituten und liegt europaweit derzeit im Spitzenfeld. (Kontakt: Dr. Axel Mündlein, Tel.: +43 5572 372 65 81, Fax +43 5572 372 65 84, labor@vivit.at)

]]> 2010 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:02:00 +0100