Norgen Biotek launches over 30 new kits for NA based diagnostics

Norgen Biotek Corp., an innovative privately held Canadian biotechnology company focusing primarily on advancing powerful tools for nucleic acids (NA) and protein purification, today announced the launch of over 30 new kits for nucleic-acid based diagnostics. Norgen makes best-in-class kits for nucleic acid and protein sample preparation, and has recognized that high quality sample preparation is the key to high quality diagnostics. Norgen's new basket of diagnostic kits includes kits for the diagnosis of human pathogens such as: HPV, HIV, HCV-1 & 2, HBV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea; food-borne pathogens such as: Listeria, Salmonella, Streptococcus species, etc and plant pathogens such as: Plum Pox Virus (PPV), Aspergillus, Penicillium, Boytritis, etc. In terms of diagnostic kits for the human pathogens, particular attention has been paid to the development of kits based on non-invasive sample preparation. Non-invasive sample collection offers a number of distinct benefits for diagnostics, and therefore the first kits which Norgen plans to obtain regulatory approval for are the urine-based pathogen detection kits. For a more comprehensive list of the newly launched kits, please visit www.norgenbiotek.com

Norgen's diagnostic kits are complete kits that include all the components for the isolation of high quality inhibitor-free nucleic acids, as well as the required master mixes and controls to allow for PCR amplification and detection. The kits combine both sensitivity and specificity of detection, and include controls to eliminate false negatives and problematic isolations. Initially, these kits are for research use only and are ideal for use in surveillance of drug resistant pathogens, epidemiological studies, field surveillance of pathogens, and surveys.

"The transition of our powerful nucleic acid isolation technology into diagnostics is a natural extension for us. The quality of a diagnostic kit is only as good as the quality of the sample, and as leaders in sample preparation we are in an ideal position to make this transition." said Dr. Haj-Ahmad, President & CEO of Norgen Biotek. "We make best-in-class kits for the isolation of high quality RNA, DNA and proteins from urine, and therefore we extended our expertise and developed our new line of urine-based diagnostic kits for the detection of human pathogens that are traditionally detected in blood or plasma. These kits will become invaluable tools for non-invasive urine-based diagnostics" added Dr. Haj-Ahmad