IntegenX Inc., the leading developer of rapid human DNA identification technology, DNA sequencing library preparation systems, and DNA/RNA room temperature stability and storage products, today announced the appointment of Bob Barrett as Vice President of Strategy and Business Development for Human Identity Products (HID). Mr. Barrett will drive the strategy for introducing the RapidHIT™ 200 sample-to-profile HID system, and will develop the business relationships and plans for follow-on HID products.

Mr. Barrett has more than 25 years experience leading the successful commercialization of valuable novel products for diagnostics, biotechnology, and applied markets in the life sciences. His knowledge and expertise in applied markets and HID technologies is expected to accelerate the growth and widespread expansion of IntegenX HID solutions in defense, law enforcement, and applied markets. He has held senior executive positions at leading companies, most recently as Vice President of Global Marketing Molecular Diagnostics at QIAGEN. Prior to QIAGEN, Mr. Barrett was Vice President/General Manager of the Applied Markets Division at Applied Biosystems, where he played a key role in the development of the HID business. He also served as Vice President of Global Marketing at Roche Molecular Systems and as Vice President of Commercial Operations (Diagnostics) at Chiron Corporation.

“Recruiting a proven leader boosts our depth and breadth of talent to capture the emerging rapid HID market and to drive IntegenX technologies into new markets. Bob has a keen ability to identify, select, and develop strategies for the HID and applied markets as well as build teams to execute those plans,” said Dr. Stevan Jovanovich, Chief Executive Officer of IntegenX. “He has excellent capabilities to focus on developing and executing global commercial strategies for the RapidHIT 200.”

“IntegenX is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the widespread adoption of rapid human DNA identification technologies by the public safety and defense communities,” said Mr. Barrett. “IntegenX’s RapidHIT system will provide local law enforcement the ability to secure fast positive identification of criminals and will give homeland security and military forces around the globe new tools to identify persons of interest.”

Pleasanton, California – IntegenX Inc. today announced the launch of mygentegra.com, an e-commerce and information web site for researchers concerned about the economic and environmental costs of traditional freezer-based DNA and RNA sample storage. Researchers exploring current concepts and technologies for nucleic acid storage will find peer-reviewed publications, academic posters, videos, and technical information on GenTegra™ products for long-term, room-temperature DNA and RNA storage and recovery.

While significant advances in high-throughput sequencing have been made in recent years, technologies for sample storage and transport have not enjoyed the same breakthroughs. As a result, sample quality and availability are often the major bottlenecks for these systems. IntegenX provides GenTegra DNA and GenTegra RNA as chemical matrices that protect samples from hydrolysis, oxidation, and microbial destruction. Further, the GenTegra products allow scientists to dry, transport, and store their samples safely at convenient temperatures, including room temperature.

As a convenience to new and returning GenTegra product customers, IntegenX offers on-line purchasing on the mygentegra.com site. Customers can place credit card orders for GenTegra DNA and GenTegra RNA kits, tubes, and accessories.

The first 500 visitors to the mygentegra.com web site will be offered the opportunity to request a free sample of a GenTegra RNA or GenTegra DNA nucleic acid storage vial and reagent. Regarding this offer, IntegenX executive vice president Howard Goldstein said, “Room temperature storage of DNA and RNA is a relatively new concept in nucleic acid research that rarely appears in the legacy cloning manuals used by many labs. The limited free sample program is a way to give interested labs an opportunity to validate how they can safely transport DNA or RNA samples at room temperature, save money on freezer storage, and reduce their carbon footprint.”

RapidHIT™ 200 to Create New Market for Real-time DNA Identification

Pleasanton, California – December 13, 2011 – IntegenX Inc., the leading developer of rapid human DNA identification technology and DNA sequencing library preparation systems, has secured $40 Million in Series C funding to accelerate development of the company’s product pipeline and the commercialization of its RapidHIT™ 200 Human Identification System into domestic and international markets. Industry observers expect this product to be disruptive and that it will create a new market for rapid analysis of human DNA for real-time biometric identification. New investor Essex Woodlands, a leading healthcare growth equity and venture capital firm, led the financing round and joins existing investors Domain Associates, QuestMark Partners, Greenspring Associates, Cross Creek Capital, RONAholdings LLC, Samsung Ventures, and strategic partner In-Q-Tel. Joining the company’s Board of Directors are Ronald Eastman of Essex Woodlands and Benjamin S. Schapiro of QuestMark Partners.

The RapidHIT 200 is a breakthrough sample-to-profile biometric system that will enable law enforcement, government agencies, and forensic laboratories worldwide to reliably and accurately provide real-time human DNA analysis. The system is the first fully automated DNA identification technology capable of producing DNA profiles from buccal swabs or other human samples in less than 90 minutes. The RapidHIT 200 will allow DNA analysis at the point of collection, such as an arrest or detention, setting a new standard in the usage of DNA profiles as an actionable biometric. By contrast, human DNA samples currently must be transported or shipped to laboratories that rely on highly trained technicians using multiple instruments for analyses taking 10 to14 hours, with access to results delayed up to 30 days or more. Already tested in multiple environments including field, office, and laboratory locations, the RapidHIT 200 and consumables system is expected to launch in the US and abroad through the first six months of 2012.

Stevan Jovanovich, Ph.D., chief executive officer of IntegenX, offered that, “The syndicate created by Essex Woodlands and our existing investors has provided significant financial resources to strengthen our commercial capabilities and successfully market a sample-to-answer system that establishes a new standard in human DNA identification. The RapidHIT 200 technology is compelling in that it will open up new markets by providing easy to use DNA profiling capabilities not available today. Clearly central to the financing was the vision of providing law enforcement, homeland security and military agencies with a system that will revolutionize the usage of human DNA identification.”

According to Essex Woodlands managing director Ronald Eastman, “The management team at IntegenX has an impressive development and commercial track record. We believe that these qualifications coupled with a competitive position in a disruptive technology provide a foundation from which IntegenX can become a leader in rapid human DNA identification.”

IntegenX’s Commercial Product Lines:
The Apollo 324 is an automated platform that relieves the next-generation sequencing bottleneck in DNA and RNA library preparation. The system makes routine the preparation of up to 32 libraries per day by significantly decreasing the most laborious aspects of the process. IntegenX is the only company to offer an automated library preparation system that supports the major next-generation sequencers and offers a selection of optimized platform-specific library preparation reagent kits.

GenTegra™ and GenPlate® products stabilize DNA, RNA, whole blood, and biological fluids, allowing dry-state room temperature storage with essentially no degradation. They uniquely facilitate storage and shipment of biological samples without the need for refrigeration, freezing, or dry ice.

About Essex Woodlands
With $2.5 billion under management, Essex Woodlands is one of the largest and oldest growth equity and venture capital firms pursuing investments in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, life science tools, health care services and health information technology. Since its founding in 1985, Essex Woodlands has been involved in the founding, investing, and/or management of over 100 healthcare companies ranging across all sectors, stages and geography. The team is comprised of 25 senior investment professionals with offices in Palo Alto, Houston, New York and London. For more information, please see www.ewhv.com.

Fast DNA Analysis Yields Tactical Advantage in the Field

McLean, VA – September 27, 2011 – Northrop Grumman Corporation announced today that it has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Army BOSS-U (Biometrics Operations and Support Services – Unrestricted) program to further develop and supply the IntegenX RapidHIT™ 200 Human DNA Identification System. Previously, IntegenX participated in an invited US Department of Defense (DOD) exercise where the RapidHIT™ system repeatedly delivered correct DNA identifications of individuals in under two hours.

“With the successful demonstration of prototype versions of the RapidHIT 200 System, the BOSS-U award will enable us, in partnership with Northrop Grumman, to accelerate the delivery of field-forward DNA identification to warfighters during 2012,” said Stevan Jovanovich, Ph.D., President and CEO of IntegenX Inc. “IntegenX is the first to show that DNA-based human identification can be accomplished in less than two hours using on-site equipment, instead of taking 12 to 15 hours in a laboratory environment, conferring significant tactical advantages in various DOD operational scenarios,” added Dr. Jovanovich.

The RapidHIT 200 Human Identification System automates and accelerates the process of producing standardized DNA profiles from cheek swabs, human tissue samples, and other objects with low copy numbers of DNA. DNA profiles generated by the RapidHIT System are used to match collected samples with existing DNA records in domestic and international databases or to expand those databases. Numerous local, state, national and international law enforcement and security agencies use DNA-based human identification to make informed decisions.

IntegenX Inc. and Promega Corporation today announced that commercial deliveries of RapidHIT™ 200 Human Identification Systems will include Promega’s nucleic acid purification and short tandem repeat (STR) amplification reagents. Promega’s established STR chemistry will enable users of the automated, self-contained RapidHIT System to produce DNA profiles for human identification from mouth swabs and other human samples in less than two hours.

Promega’s purification and STR reagents will be packaged with the RapidHIT System’s disposable cartridges, which will automate all DNA sample processing steps required to generate DNA profiles, including cell lysis, DNA purification, STR amplification, separation and detection of amplified products, and data analysis. The single-use cartridges eliminate the need for user intervention during sample processing, greatly simplifying the process of human DNA profile production and eliminating the risk of sample carryover. By integrating Promega’s purification and STR reagents, RapidHIT Systems can produce DNA profiles compatible with local, national, and international database systems, including the U.S. National DNA Index System (NDIS), the U.K. National DNA Database (NDNAD), and Local DNA Index System (LODIS) systems used by local law enforcement agencies.

“The RapidHIT Human Identification System represents a highly automated and specialized integration of our STR amplification chemistry”, said Bill Linton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Promega Corporation. “The supply agreement with IntegenX gives law enforcement agencies and other organizations the choice to adopt powerful DNA-based human identification technology without adding the specialized infrastructure that’s usually required for a DNA lab,” added Mr. Linton.

“Promega has been a great partner that we have worked with to optimize the use of their STR chemistry in our RapidHIT 200 system,” said Stevan Jovanovich, President and Chief Executive Officer of IntegenX Inc. “The combination of IntegenX’s technology and Promega’s chemistry will help make the RapidHIT 200 the platform of choice for rapid human DNA identification.”

IntegenX will commence commercial shipments of the RapidHIT 200 Human Identification System in early 2012. A limited number of pre-production RapidHIT systems are presently available to Early Access Program partners.

About Promega
Promega Corporation has provided products for DNA-based human identification for over 20 years. Promega Corporation is a leader in providing innovative solutions and technical support to the life sciences industry. The company’s 2,000 products enable scientists worldwide to advance their knowledge in genomics, proteomics, cellular analysis, molecular diagnostics and human identification. Founded in 1978, the company is headquartered in Madison, WI, USA with branches in 15 countries and over 50 global distributors. For more information about Promega, visit www.promega.com.

Key Forensic Services Ltd Will Be First To Provide Fast DNA Identification To UK Criminal Justice Organizations

Pleasanton, California, USA and Coventry, UK – IntegenX Inc. (IXI) today announced an Early Access Program for its RapidHIT™ 200 Human Identification System. The Early Access program is designed to provide IXI’s global partners with advance product access and training. Early Access partners will receive pre-production prototypes of the RapidHIT 200 instrument, disposable reagent cartridges and application priority in the US and abroad.

Key Forensics Sciences Ltd (KFS) has agreed to become the first international partner of IntegenX’s RapidHIT 200 Early Access Program. The partnership will allow KFS to optimize and use the RapidHIT 200 instrument and disposable cartridge system for commercial forensic services in the UK. Key objectives of the partnership include validating the RapidHIT System and introducing fast human identification services to police forces in England and Wales.

The mobile, self-contained, fully integrated RapidHIT 200 Human Identification System automates and accelerates the process of producing standardized DNA profiles from mouth swabs and other human tissue samples. In less than 2 hours, the RapidHIT system produces human DNA profiles compatible with the UK National DNA Database (NDNAD) and the US National DNA Index System (NDIS). DNA profiles generated by the RapidHIT System can be used to search the NDNAD or NDIS databases for matches or to expand those databases. Numerous local, state, national, and international law enforcement and security agencies use DNA-based human identification to make informed decisions regarding the arrest, detention, or release of suspects to protect national borders, and to analyze crime scene evidence.

“KFS believes that the RapidHIT 200 System will revolutionize the provision of DNA profiles, enabling samples to be profiled within two hours at police custody suites within the UK,” said Paul Hackett, KFS Managing Director. “This device has the potential to transform the way KFS conducts DNA analysis by delivering unprecedented improvements in turnaround times, providing DNA testing away from the laboratory such as at the scene of crime, and reducing overall forensic supply chain costs,” added Mr. Hackett.

“The Early Access Program enables our partners to begin using RapidHIT technology for fast, DNA-based human identification prior to next year’s commercial launch of the RapidHIT 200 System,” explained Stevan Jovanovich, President and Chief Executive Officer of IntegenX. “We are delighted to be working with KFS as they provide human identification services for UK custody suites and time-sensitive criminal and terrorism investigations. The feedback we receive from KFS will help us prioritize our pre-launch activities for the RapidHIT System and refine our DNA forensics product development roadmap.”

About Key Forensic Services Ltd.
Key Forensic Services Ltd. (KFS) is a privately-held Coventry, UK based company that delivers forensic science solutions to the criminal justice system and private sector clients in the United Kingdom and Internationally. Its traditional forensic services include search and recovery of submissions for DNA profiling; document examinations; footwear marks screening; determination of weight, identification, and purity of drugs, as well as examination of items recovered from a crime scene for drug traces; forensic firearms training and awareness; gunshot residue examination; and evaluation and reporting of fingerprint casework. The company also offers digital forensic services, such as mobile phone examination, hex dumping, cell site analysis, computer forensics, forensic video analysis, and forensic audio services; and supplies forensic kits and packaging supplies. In addition, it provides professional forensic consultancy services for criminal defense lawyers; specialist custom collection and delivery service to police forces; and training and consultancy services. For more information, please visit www.keyforensic.co.uk.

Key Forensic Services Contact:
Paul Hackett
Key Forensic Services ltd
Unit 1, ATU-1
University of Warwick Science Park
Sir William Lyons Road
Coventry, West Midlands CV4 7EZ United Kingdom
+44 (0) 2476 323395

Fast DNA Analysis Yields Tactical Advantage in the Field
IntegenX Inc. (IXI) disclosed today that the company’s RapidHIT™ 200 Human DNA Identification System repeatedly delivered correct identifications in less than two hours during simulated operational scenarios conducted by the US Department of Defense (DOD). Engineers and technicians from several companies participated in a two-week DOD event featuring tactical scenarios designed to evaluate functional integration of emerging technologies. IntegenX was the only company at the event to demonstrate rapid DNA-based human identification.

“Using the RapidHIT 200 System, our team showed personnel from DOD and other agencies that DNA-based human identification can be accomplished in less than two hours using on-site equipment, instead of taking 12 to 15 hours in a laboratory environment,” said Howard D. Goldstein, Executive Vice President of Commercial Affairs at IntegenX. “Rapid and certain human identifications provided by the RapidHIT System conferred significant tactical advantages in the DOD’s various operational scenarios. Profiles were obtained from DNA isolated from both cheek swabs and objects used by participants, and familial relationships were correctly inferred from blinded tissue samples that were several years old. The success rate of profile generation was 100 percent,” he added.

The RapidHIT 200 Human Identification System automates and accelerates the process of producing standardized DNA profiles from cheek swabs, objects and other human tissue samples. DNA profiles generated by the RapidHIT System are used to match collected samples with existing DNA records in domestic and international databases or to expand those databases. Numerous local, state, national and international law enforcement and security agencies use DNA-based human identification to make informed decisions regarding the arrest or release of suspects, to protect national borders, and to analyze crime scene evidence. The system is designed to be used by anyone who can operate a cell phone, rather than a highly trained laboratory scientist.

After its successful debut, IntegenX is now accepting sales orders for the RapidHIT 200 Human Identification System, which will be available for early access customers at the end of 2011.

Assays Optimized on the Apollo 324 System Eliminate Manual Sample Processing Bottlenecks, Significantly Increasing Throughput
IntegenX Inc. and NuGEN Technologies, Inc. announced today a partnership to automate NuGEN’s NGS Sample Preparation workflows on IntegenX’s Apollo series next-generation sequencing library preparation instruments. NuGEN’s Ovation® RNA-Seq System is the first kit to be automated under this agreement. By processing up to 32 samples from as little as 500 pg each of total RNA, the Apollo 324 system replaces hundreds of manual steps. The integrated workflow automation on the Apollo 324 benchtop system will accelerate RNA-Seq analysis of critical clinical samples such as circulating tumor cells and fine needle aspirates, and enable rapid, systematic genetic exploration of vast biobank tissue collections.

“Our NGS library preparation workflow for the Apollo 324 proves that the system can run optimized nucleic acid chemistries for cDNA synthesis, purification, amplification, and modification,” said Stevan Jovanovich, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of IntegenX. “Automating NuGEN’s NGS sample preparation workflows that apply their proprietary linear amplification technology (SPIA®) finally makes it practical for researchers to include large-scale studies on preserved tissues and small cell populations in the process of solving biological problems,” he added.

“Leveraging automation on the Apollo 324 system is a critical next step to support the rapid adoption of NuGEN’s NGS sample preparation portfolio,” said Elizabeth Hutt, Chief Executive Officer of NuGEN. “This extends the benefits of our Ovation product line to many more researchers who need higher throughput for NGS analysis. We look forward to working with IntegenX in the future to integrate additional sample preparation solutions for other NGS applications beyond transcriptome sequencing.”

The two companies plan on commercializing this first automated system later in 2011.

Energy Requirements for DNA, RNA Preservation and Storage Slashed to Near Zero

San Francisco, CA March 16, 2011 – IntegenX Inc. was honored with the Frost & Sullivan Award for Innovation and Leadership at the 2011 Excellence in Life Sciences Awards Banquet in San Francisco, CA. The award recognizes IntegenX’s integration of ambient-temperature biological sample management technologies with the company’s systems for processing and analyzing DNA and RNA.

Conventional methods of preserving and storing biological samples depend on extreme cooling and cold storage, and therefore require substantial and ongoing energy resources for the manufacture and delivery of cooling materials such as dry ice and liquid nitrogen, and the operation of -80 °C cryopreservation freezers. IntegenX’s ambient-temperature genetic sample preservation technologies completely eliminate the requirement for cooling and cold storage without affecting the integrity of the sample or the quality of genetic analysis data produced from the recovered DNA or RNA.

Ambient-temperature genetic sample storage technologies are integral features of IntegenX’s systems for DNA-based human identification and for DNA and RNA sample processing. By eliminating the energy burdens of cold biological sample transport and storage, these systems help universities, law enforcement departments, biobanks, and other genetic analysis organizations to reduce their operational energy consumption and achieve their environmental sustainability goals.

March 01, 2011
IntegenX today announced that Dennis Harris, PhD, a leader in the field of biotechnology science innovation, has been appointed as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). As CSO, Dr. Harris will lead the technology development program at IntegenX and direct the company’s scientific research, collaborations, and grants and contracts strategies.

Dr. Harris is a co-founder of IntegenX and has served as a board member since 2003. Dr. Harris began his scientific career at Amersham International, developing commercial molecular biology kits and reagents, including products required for bead-based methods in automated DNA processing systems and for DNA sequencing. At Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, now part of GE, Dr. Harris served as project manager for the MegaBACE™ system, the first commercial capillary array-based DNA sequencing and genotyping product. After the successful market introduction of MegaBACE, he became Vice President of Research and Development for the North American division of Amersham Pharmacia Biotech. Dr. Harris then served as Senior Vice President of R&D at Aclara Biosciences, which was the leading developer of plastic microfluidic devices for life science analytics. In 2004, he joined Serologicals Corporation as Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer. Upon Serological’s acquisition by Millipore Corporation in 2006, he became CSO of Millipore until December 2010, after the close of its acquisition by Merck KGaA.

“Dr. Harris, a co-founder of IntegenX, adds a deep understanding of the assessment, acquisition, and development of leading edge life science and medical technologies to their full commercial potential. Dennis has identified numerous instrument and reagent platforms and has been instrumental in taking them to commercial market success,” said Stevan Jovanovich, PhD, co-founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of IntegenX. “His expertise will help IntegenX create and sustain market leadership for genomic sample preparation and sample-to-answer solutions for multiple applications.”