Probes are highly sensitive, sequence-specific, bi-functional molecules containing a PCR primer covalently linked to a probe
Cepheid has extended the scope of its Scorpions technology licence so that it can be used in the human in vitro diagnostic market.
Cepheid originally took a licence to DxS's Scorpions technology, which enabled the company to develop a new water testing application within the environmental market.
Commenting on the extension, John Bishop, Cepheid's chief executive officer, states: "Based on our industrial experience we have found Scorpions provided benefits in terms of speed of detection and the ability to develop highly multiplexed tests.
As we continue to develop our clinical molecular diagnostic program, we want to enable our scientists to have access to this technology for clinical application as appropriate".
Scorpions probes are highly sensitive, sequence-specific, bi-functional molecules containing a PCR primer covalently linked to a probe.
Scorpions probes provide strong fluorescent signals, excellent sequence discrimination, short reaction times, and predictable probe design.
The interaction of the probe and the desired target occurs very rapidly and in advance of any competing side reactions such as the formation of internal secondary structures or re-annealing.
Commenting on the agreement, Stephen Little, chief executive officer for DxS, said: "We are delighted to have extended our Scorpions licence arrangement with Cepheid.
"When such a recognised leader in rapid genetic testing shows this degree of confidence in our nucleic acid detection technology, it confirms that the unique intra-molecular nature of the Scorpions reaction makes it ideal for fast, quantitative, real-time PCR analysis."
