IntegenX and Promega Ink RapidHIT™ Human Identification System Reagent Supply Agreement
4 Aug 2011IntegenX Inc. and Promega Corporation today announced that commercial deliveries of RapidHIT™ 200 Human Identification Systems will include Promega's nucleic acid purification and short tandem repeat (STR) amplification reagents. Promega's established STR chemistry will enable users of the automated, self-contained RapidHIT System to produce DNA profiles for human identification from mouth swabs and other human samples in less than two hours.
Promega's purification and STR reagents will be packaged with the RapidHIT System's disposable cartridges, which will automate all DNA sample processing steps required to generate DNA profiles, including cell lysis, DNA purification, STR amplification, separation and detection of amplified products, and data analysis. The single-use cartridges eliminate the need for user intervention during sample processing, greatly simplifying the process of human DNA profile production and eliminating the risk of sample carryover. By integrating Promega's purification and STR reagents, RapidHIT Systems can produce DNA profiles compatible with local, national, and international database systems, including the U.S. National DNA Index System (NDIS), the U.K. National DNA Database (NDNAD), and Local DNA Index System (LODIS) systems used by local law enforcement agencies.
"The RapidHIT Human Identification System represents a highly automated and specialized integration of our STR amplification chemistry", said Bill Linton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Promega Corporation. "The supply agreement with IntegenX gives law enforcement agencies and other organizations the choice to adopt powerful DNA-based human identification technology without adding the specialized infrastructure that's usually required for a DNA lab," added Mr. Linton.
"Promega has been a great partner that we have worked with to optimize the use of their STR chemistry in our RapidHIT 200 system," said Stevan Jovanovich, President and Chief Executive Officer of IntegenX Inc. "The combination of IntegenX's technology and Promega's chemistry will help make the RapidHIT 200 the platform of choice for rapid human DNA identification."
IntegenX will commence commercial shipments of the RapidHIT 200 Human Identification System in early 2012. A limited number of pre-production RapidHIT systems are presently available to Early Access Program partners.