OvaGene Oncology opens new advanced molecular research and clinical laboratory facility

OvaGene Oncology Inc., a biotechnology company specializing in the development and commercialization of personalized DNA-based diagnostics for gynecologic cancer, announced today the opening of its new clinical and research laboratory in Irvine, California.  This state-of-the-art facility will serve as the central headquarters for operations, research, and molecular clinical lab testing.  

The opening of the laboratory is an important first step for OvaGene Oncology.  The new facility will allow the company to perform genomic testing on cancer cells using advanced technologies such as Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (QPCR), Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) and Gene Expression Arrays. OvaGene is currently in the process of pursuing clinical laboratory licensure (CLIA) and accreditation (CAP) and will begin offering several non-proprietary molecular diagnostics to the gynecologic oncology community once approvals have been obtained.  

In addition to clinical laboratory testing, a series of proprietary diagnostics based on in-licensed technologies and internal research will be developed at the new facility. OvaGene's research will include collaborations with key pharmaceutical companies in the oncology space with the goal of developing companion diagnostics.  

"This advanced molecular research and clinical laboratory facility is the foundation for OvaGene's creativity, science and treatment-related innovation. It puts OvaGene at the forefront of the application of gene-based technologies within the field of gynecologic oncology," said President and CEO Frank Kiesner.  Mr. Kiesner added, "It is OvaGene's mission to provide physicians treating gynecologic cancers with novel gene-based assays to individualize patient diagnosis, staging and drug selection in a manner not possible through existing non-gene-based technologies."