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January 7, 2010
Diffinity Genomics, Inc. Awarded Phase II STTR from National Institutes of Health (NIH): Receives $717,229 Grant for PCR purification product
Quickly following Diffinity Genomics’ positive results achieved from its Phase I STTR grant awarded in 2008 to develop the enabling technology, the company has been awarded the Phase II STTR grant worth $717,229 over a one-year period that began in September 2009 to help bring to market the first in a line of novel DNA purification products.
The initial product is a single-use pipette tip that contains proprietary DiffinityTM technology to purify DNA from Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCR) in one minute using only a Diffinity functionalized tip and a pipettor. This new product will be the only PCR purification product that can remove impurities, such as nucleotides, primers, and primer-dimers, without the need for additional reagents, consumables, or capital equipment enabling a simple, rapid, and easily scalable purification process that integrates seamlessly into existing laboratory workflows. Whereas the Phase I grant supported the effort to develop a working prototype of the product, the Phase II work will focus on further refinements to the technology, manufacturing process scale-up, sales readiness, and leveraging the technology into other nucleic acid isolation & analysis applications.
"We are very pleased that we have won this Phase II award based on our technical achievements during Phase I and that we can utilize these funds to support bringing to market not only our initial RapidTip, but also a broader portfolio of advanced DNA purification products using Diffinity technology," said Jeff Helfer, CEO of Diffinity Genomics.
STTR program grants are offered to small businesses working in conjunction with university development partners. Diffinity Genomics began working with the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, for the Phase I project and will continue to work with the University over the next phase to commercialize its initial product, the Diffinity RapidTipTM for PCR Purification. The award will be administered by Lewis J. Rothberg, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry and Principal Investigator at the University. The Diffinity RapidTip will be available for sale in early 2010.
"The University of Rochester is pleased to support a Rochester, NY based company in this project and we look forward to the successful commercialization of Diffinity Genomics’ initial product ," said Gail Norris, Director of the University's Office of Technology Transfer.
About the Award:
This Phase II STTR project is supported by the National Center for Research Resources. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Center for Research Resources or the National Institutes of Health.
About Diffinity Genomics, Inc.
Diffinity Genomics (www.diffinitygenomics.com) is a Rochester, NY-based company that is developing products for rapid and simple nucleic acid isolation & analysis based on its proprietary DiffinityTM technology. Diffinity technology is based upon the ability to configure surfaces to preferentially adsorb different types of nucleic acids. Our initial product line, soon to be released, the Diffinity RapidTipTM, is a revolutionary new way of performing PCR purification in one minute, in a single step, using only a functional pipette tip and a standard pipettor.
About the University of Rochester
The University of Rochester (www.rochester.edu) is one of the nation’s leading private universities. Located in Rochester, N.Y., the University gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty through its unique cluster-based curriculum. Its College, School of Arts and Sciences, and Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences are complemented by the Eastman School of Music, Simon School of Business, Warner School of Education, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, and the Memorial Art Gallery.
Contact:
Robin Hodownes
VP, Sales & Marketing
rhodownes@diffinitygenomics.com
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