WaferGen Biosystems introduces SmartChip Multi-Sample Dispenser for faster biomarker validation

WaferGen Biosystems, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: WGBS), a leading developer of state-of-the-art genetic analysis systems, today announced that it has launched its SmartChip Multi-Sample Dispenser to enable significant speed and cost advantages for biomarker validation using gene expression and genotyping. The new SmartChip Multi-Sample Dispenser, which is part of the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System, can load up to 384 samples or sample replicates on a single SmartChip with its 5,184 nanowells, offering the highest number of samples that can be run on a nano-chip.

"The time and cost advantages provided by the WaferGen SmartChip Multi-Sample Dispenser combined with the other components of the SmartChip System can potentially shorten the drug development process and simultaneously enable more comprehensive biomarker discovery and validation – key ingredients to the advancement of targeted medicine," said Alnoor Shivji, Chairman and CEO, WaferGen. "By offering both discovery and validation functions on the same platform, the SmartChip platform is designed to shorten drug development time by removing bottlenecks created from switching from one to another technology. Further, the SmartChip platform is designed to meet the high-throughput needs of biopharma companies' clinical trials."

The SmartChip Multi-Sample Dispenser is part of WaferGen's SmartChip Real-Time PCR System, and also includes the SmartChip Cycler and the SmartChip that contains 5,184 nanowells preloaded with primer content optimized for performance with the SmartChip System. Both the SmartChip Nanodispenser and the SmartChip Multi-Sample Dispenser can be used to dispense samples and master mix onto the SmartChip offering customers the flexibility to analyze many genes or many samples. The dispensed chip is placed into the SmartChip Cycler and subjected to Real-Time PCR and amplicon melting analyses. Data in the form of threshold cycles and melting temperatures are downloaded and analyzed.

The SmartChip Multi-Sample Dispenser and the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System are currently available to early-access customers with general availability in the second half of 2010 when the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System is targeted for commercialization.