OMAHA, Neb., April 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Transgenomic, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: TBIO), a global genetic analysis and services company, today announced the National Cancer Institute had approved a proposal to perform mutational analysis and sequencing of the mitochondrial genes in the NCI 60 cancer cell line panel.
Mitochondrial damage is increasingly recognized as an early warning signal in several different types of cancer. This is the first comprehensive evaluation of the mitochondrial genome in the NCI 60 panel. The data from this study will be a valuable tool for integrating mitochondrial genomics with other data derived from the NCI 60 panel.
"Tens of thousands of compounds have been tested against the NCI 60 cell lines in the NCI's pharmacological database of cancer drugs," chief scientific officer Dr. Eric Kaldjian described. "This collaboration makes it possible to test whether in vitro responses to anti-cancer agents are linked to alterations in the mitochondrial genome and can be detected with our sensitive mutation detection technology."
Chief executive officer Craig Tuttle remarked, "Over the last 2 years, we have grown our laboratory services business focusing on diseases associated with mitochondrial DNA. As we learn more about the mitochondria and its role in disease, we are finding that mitochondrial mutation testing can provide diagnostic insights earlier in the disease process giving physicians early warning signals they can use to monitor at risk patients or even begin therapy. This study is an important milestone for the company and will further validate our leadership in the analysis of the mitochondrial genome in disease. The NCI 60 panel study further demonstrates Transgenomic's expertise in the evolving area of diagnostic testing for mitochondrial mutations."
About Transgenomic:
Transgenomic is a global biotechnology company that provides unique products and services of automated high sensitivity genetic variation and mutation analysis. Their offerings include systems, products, discovery and laboratory testing services to the academic and medical research, clinical laboratory and pharmaceutical markets in the fields of Pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine. Specific offerings include WAVE(R) DHPLC Systems, related consumables and assay kits, Cytogenetics automated systems, and Transgenomic Pharmacogenomics and Reference Laboratory Services. Transgenomic Pharmacogenomics and Laboratory Services utilize their technology and expertise to provide a menu of mutation scanning tests for over 700 cancer-associated genes and more than 60 validated diagnostic tests to meet the needs of pharmaceutical and biotech companies, research and clinical laboratories, physicians and patients. For more information about the innovative systems, products and services offered by Transgenomic, please visit: http://www.transgenomic.com.
Transgenomic Cautionary Statements
Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" of Transgenomic within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those with respect to management's current views and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results, including the ability of the Company to grow its involvement in the diagnostic products and services markets. The known risks, uncertainties and other factors affecting these forward-looking statements are described from time to time in Transgenomic's reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any change in such factors, risks and uncertainties may cause the actual results, events and performance to differ materially from those referred to in such statements. Accordingly, the company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to all statements contained in this press release. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release and Transgenomic does not undertake any duty to update this information, including any forward-looking statements, unless required by law.
SOURCE Transgenomic, Inc.
