OGT successfully completes world's largest copy number variation study

Oxford, UK – 21 May 2009. OGT, the pioneer of microarraybased technologies, has successfully completed processing more than 20,000 samples that have been generated by the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC), the world’s largest CNV study involving a collaboration of 24 leading human geneticists. The project analysed DNA samples from patients to identify genetic variants that play a role in various human diseases, including bipolar disorder, Crohn’s disease, coronary artery disease, type 1 and 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, breast cancer and hypertension.

OGT processed over 20,000 samples in 20 weeks, using state-of-the-art automated processing to achieve exceptional data quality from whole-genome human CNV-focussed microarrays developed by Agilent. Over 40 quality control checks have been performed and recorded for each sample during the workflow, producing documented evidence of the excellent QC metrics that have been met.

"In order to characterise genetic variants, reproducible performance and reliable processing of the high resolution microarrays is essential. This project demanded high quality data generated to tight deadlines, and we were very pleased with its rapid progress," said Dr Matt Hurles of the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. "Our preliminary estimate is that approximately 20-30 % of the ~11,000 loci targeted on the array we have designed are both polymorphic in our British study population and provide sufficient data quality to assign integer copy numbers to individuals."

“OGT is delighted to have successfully processed the huge number of samples, on time and to exacting QC standards, in this landmark CNV study,” said Dr John Anson, R&D Director at OGT. OGT is committed to provide high quality data for a variety of high throughput microarray applications, offering a bespoke microarray service from array design and synthesis through to bioinformatics support and data analysis.Agilent collaborated with the WTCCC and the Genome Structural Variation Consortium on the array design for this study, and Agilent manufactured the microarrays at its Santa Clara, California, fabrication facility.

“It’s very gratifying to be the provider of the microarrays, reagents, microarray scanners and automation equipment for such a large-scale and important study. This project demonstrated the ability of Agilent and OGT to work closely together to deliver high quality results in a very high throughput environment,” said Chris Grimley, Agilent senior marketing director, Genomics.

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/.