Bio-Rad Introduces Droplet Digital™ PCR PrimePCR™ Assay Kits for Spinal Muscular Atrophy Research

Date: 
2015-04-23
ddPCR SMN copy number determination kits
ddPCR SMN copy number determination kits provide precise and reproducible copy number calls.

Hercules, CA — April 23, 2014 — Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: BIO and BIOb) today announced the launch of two PrimePCR™ Assay Kits for Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR™) (ddPCR™). This release expands Bio-Rad’s offering of predesigned, fully wet-lab validated assays with kits for SMN1 and SMN2 copy number determination. These targets are commonly studied genes associated with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

Bio-Rad’s ddPCR technology provides an absolute measure of target DNA molecules without the need for a standard curve. Together with PrimePCR™ Copy Number Determination Kits, the technology enables the quantitative discrimination required to resolve small fold changes in gene copy numbers for copy number variation (CNV) analysis. Using current methods, CNV analysis often provides ambiguous data, making it difficult for researchers to round copy number data to the nearest integer. In combination with ddPCR technology, the new PrimePCR Assays provide scientists the ability to achieve near-integer copy number calls for SMN1 and SMN2 at high-throughput levels, thereby accelerating discovery and enabling new strategies for SMA research.  

The predesigned ddPCR SMN1 and SMN2 Copy Number Determination Assays alleviate the need for assay design and optimization that multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) assays require. The kits also include all necessary reagents and positive controls to simplify troubleshooting and improve consistency between labs.

PrimePCR ddPCR Assays are compatible with all Bio-Rad Droplet Digital PCR Systems, including the QX200™ AutoDG™ Droplet Digital™ PCR System.

For more information on Bio-Rad’s PrimePCR products, please visit www.bio-rad.com/PrimePCRpr.

About Bio-Rad 
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: BIO and BIOb) develops, manufactures, and markets a broad range of innovative products and solutions for the life science research and clinical diagnostic markets. The company is renowned for its commitment to quality and customer service among university and research institutions, hospitals, public health and commercial laboratories, as well as the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and food safety industries. Founded in 1952, Bio-Rad is based in Hercules, California, and serves more than 100,000 research and healthcare industry customers through its global network of operations. The company employs more than 7,600 people worldwide and had revenues exceeding $2.1 billion in 2014. For more information, please visit www.bio-rad.com.

This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “intend,” “estimate,” “continue,” or similar expressions or the negative of those terms or expressions. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. For further information regarding the Company's risks and uncertainties, please refer to the “Risk Factors” in the Company’s public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The Company cautions you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect an analysis only and speak only as of the date hereof. Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

For more information contact:
Viresh Patel
Bio-Rad Laboratories
925-474-8602
Viresh_Patel@bio-rad.com

Ken Li
Chempetitive Group
312-997-2436 x 112
kli@chempetitive.com