OGT expands Next Generation Sequencing portfolio

Oxford, UK – 03 August 2015. OGT, the molecular genetics company, today announces the expansion of its portfolio of high-quality products for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) with the addition of the SureSeq™ Ovarian Cancer Panel & SureSeq NGS Library Preparation Kit.

The new products are a result of significant recent investment of OGT’s R&D and commercial capabilities in the area, and will add to OGT’s existing range of NGS products, including the SureSeq Solid Tumour Panel, and the SureSeq Myeloid Panel, which was launched in June. OGT has worked closely with industry-leading experts to ensure the products have the most relevant and up-to-date content combined with simple and streamlined workflows.

Mike Evans, CEO of OGT commented, “NGS is a significant area of growth within the genomics industry and our strategic focus has been directed at driving forward new product development and sales. We have launched three new NGS products this year, and we are generating a strong pipeline of additional products in development.”

The SureSeq Ovarian Cancer Panel is a hybridisation-based enrichment panel which covers all coding exons of seven key genes of importance in ovarian cancer research; BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53, PTEN, ATM, ATR, and NF1. Although now well recognised as providing superior results over amplicon-based enrichment technology, hybridisation-based enrichment has traditionally required more DNA, and the library preparation protocol has been longer and more complex. These issues are overcome with the SureSeq NGS Library Preparation Kit, which streamlines the NGS sample prep workflow to reduce hands-on steps and turnaround times.

The panel allows the detection of germline mutations in DNA derived from blood as well as both germline and somatic mutations in DNA derived from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue. Screening for germline mutations in such genes allows research into familial risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Analysis of somatic mutations in a tumour can help research into drug response and the development of new therapies. SureSeq Interpret Software, OGT’s freely provided powerful, standalone data analysis package, converts results into an intuitive interactive report which allows for easy filtering of variants without the need for in-house bioinformatics resource. The high sensitivity of the panel enables more accurate detection of low-frequency variants, commonly found in heterogeneous cancer samples, than obtained using alternative NGS techniques.

About OGT

OGT, a Sysmex Group company, is a leading global provider of clinical and diagnostic genomic solutions that are created for scientists by scientists - including CytoCell^®, CytoSure^® and SureSeq™ ranges of FISH, microarray and NGS products. The company is dedicated to creating products that enable researchers and clinical decision makers to reach the right care decisions for each patient, every time. OGT strives to unlock the future of genetic clinical care with a commitment to working in partnership with its customers - not only by sharing its expertise of 25 years at the forefront of genetic endeavour, but also by working closely with scientists to understand their unique challenges, and to customise its approach to meet their exact needs. Dedicated to improving clinical care, OGT believes that through partnership—together—we’ll achieve more.

For more information on the Company, please visit our website at ogt.com

CytoSure^®, SureSeq™ and myProbes^®: For Research Use Only, not for use in diagnostic procedures. CytoCell: Some products may not be available in your region.

About Sysmex Corporation

Sysmex Corporation is a world leader in clinical laboratory systemization and solutions, including laboratory diagnostics, laboratory automation and clinical information systems. Serving customers for more than 50 years, Sysmex focuses on technological leadership in diagnostic science and information tools that make a difference in the health of people worldwide. The company is also exploring emerging opportunities in the life science field. Its R&D efforts focus on the development of high-value-added testing and diagnostic technologies that are innovative, original and optimize individual health. Sysmex also seeks to leverage its state-of-the-art technologies for cell, gene and protein analysis. The company, headquartered in Kobe, Japan, has subsidiaries in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, China and Asia Pacific and employs more than 9,000 employees worldwide. Sysmex Corporation is listed in the top tier of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

For more information about Sysmex Corporation and its affiliate companies, please visit www.sysmex.co.jp/en/.