Systems will be used by initial customer for high-throughput forensic analysis of human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to genotype and identify individuals based on unique patterns of genetic variation
A US government agency has ordered two Ibis T5000 systems for human forensics applications.
The purchase agreement marks an important milestone for Isis's Ibis Biosciences division, which has worked closely with government collaborators to expand the Ibis T5000 capabilities to include forensics.
Isis plans to complete installation of the first system before the end of the year, and to install the second system early in 2007.
The Ibis T5000 biosensor systems will be used by this initial customer for high-throughput forensic analysis of human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to genotype and identify individuals based on unique patterns of genetic variation.
MtDNA analysis is often used in cases involving the identification of human remains or missing persons where nuclear DNA is either too degraded or too scarce to employ standard analytical methods.
Compared to traditional sequencing methods for mtDNA analysis, the Ibis T5000 is automated and high-throughput, allowing numerous samples to be analysed rapidly and accurately.
In a related agreement, Ibis was recently awarded a research contract to support the continued development of advanced capabilities in the field of mtDNA forensics using the Ibis T5000.
Isis also announced that it successfully completed the first phase of its Challenge Grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and has been granted funding for the second and third phases of the grant which includes installing an Ibis T5000 at Johns Hopkins University Medical Center.
The purpose of the grant is to develop and validate a broad range of respiratory and blood-borne infectious agents, including bacteria and viruses on the NIAID priority list.
The milestones for the first phase involved development of assays for identification, strain typing, virulence and drug resistance of important human pathogens.
In addition to deployment of an Ibis T5000, the second and third phases of the grant - approximately $2.5 million - include funding for the purchase of assay kits to analyze human samples in validation studies.
"Demand is growing for solutions that can quickly identify emerging pathogens," according to Garth Ehrlich, executive director, Center for Genomic Sciences, Allegheny Singer Research Institute /Allegheny General Hospital, an industry expert in infectious disease research.
"Governments, organisations like the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), hospitals and health providers throughout the world need better tools to deal with the growing risks associated with SARS-like epidemics and hospital infections.
"The Ibis T5000 biosensor system represents a compelling approach for addressing these intractable challenges".
In addition, Isis announced that Ibis recently received a contract from the US government to perform forensic analyses of up to 10,000 samples in its Ibis T5000 Assay Services Laboratory.
Revenue from this contract could be up to $1.9 million.
This assay service capability represents a key part of the Ibis business strategy, as it not only has the potential to be an important revenue-generating opportunity for the business, but also represents an important resource for customers evaluating the capabilities of the system and collaborating in applications development.
According to Michael Treble, president of Ibis and Vice President of Isis, "We're pleased to announce the first commercial order for the Ibis T5000 biosensor system.
"This order reflects the successful implementation of our strategy to work closely with key investigators to develop applications for the Ibis T5000.
"When the applications are successfully completed, we can then convert our collaborators into commercial customers and pursue new markets with validated assays.
"We're also very pleased to be installing an Ibis T5000 at Johns Hopkins.
"Working with the clinical staff at this prestigious institution allows us to continue to expand the capabilities of the Ibis T5000 in the highest-quality manner".
Treble continued: "These commercial milestones are key accomplishments for the Ibis business.
"Together, the purchase order, research commitment, second and third phases of the challenge grant, and large-scale sample screening agreement represent revenue of up to $5.5 million.
"We hope to continue to achieve additional commercial milestones as we complete 2006 and enter 2007.
"We believe the Ibis T5000 biosensor system has the potential to revolutionise human forensics and identification of infectious organisms".
Isis recently announced that Bruker Daltonics will provide worldwide manufacturing, installation, support services and order processing for the Ibis T5000.
Over the coming months, Isis will transition manufacturing responsibility for the Ibis T5000 instruments to Bruker, and Bruker will build and install future Ibis T5000 instruments.
Ibis will build and install these first commercial instruments during the transition period.
Ibis will develop, manufacture and supply assay kits for the Ibis T5000 and will provide related applications support.
Initially, Bruker will focus its sales effort for Ibis T5000 biosensor systems and assay kits in Europe and in the Middle East and Ibis will focus on North America.
Today's announcement follows last week's European introduction of the Ibis T5000 biosensor system.
Ibis's commercial activity in forensics builds upon its government-funded application development in biowarfare defense, disease surveillance and epidemiology.
Going forward, Ibis intends to expand its commercial activity into hospital markets where the Ibis T5000 can be used to identify sources of and monitor control of hospital-associated infections (HAI), also known as nosocomial infections.
In addition to pathogen identification, the system can provide rapid strain typing, resistance profiling and information on the presence of virulence markers associated with particularly aggressive infections.
Ibis Biosciences also plans to leverage the unique benefits of the Ibis T5000 Biosensor System to enter the diagnostics market with a partner in the future.
