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ArcherDX and BioChain to Provide NGS-characterized FFPE Tumor SamplesArcherDX, Inc., the leader in NGS-based gene fusion detection, has announced a non-exclusive agreement with BioChain, Inc., the leader in high-quality processed bio-sample products. Under terms of the agreement, BioChain will supply ArcherDX with multiple types of tumor FFPE samples, including NSCLC samples, which will be comprehensively screened for oncogenic fusions, copy number variations (CNVs), single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and insertions/deletions (indels) using the Archer VariantPlex™ and FusionPlex™ Solid Tumor assays. Once characterized, the FFPE tumor samples will be available to the cancer research community through BioChain under their CancerSeq™ Plus brand. "There's an unmet need for mutation-positive FFPE samples, specifically for genes like RET, NTRK, and MET," said Jason Myers, CEO and co-founder of ArcherDX. "By working with BioChain to make these known-positive FFPE samples available to our customers, we are resolving a major bottleneck in translational research." "BioChain is an ideal partner on this project," says Jason Amsbaugh, Director of Marketing at ArcherDX. "For over 20 years, BioChain has been supplying tissue samples and other biospecimens to researchers, and have significant experience in tissue preparation and nucleic acid extraction. By combining Archer's NGS expertise with BioChain's large tissue repository and market presence, we've created genotyped tissue products that will be a welcome addition for many laboratories." "We are extremely pleased to join this collaboration with ArcherDX," said Grace Tian, CEO at BioChain. "BioChain is committed to supporting cancer research and early cancer detection. For a long time, our customers have inquired about FFPE tissue samples with specific cancer related mutations. With ArcherDX's expertise in NGS and BioChain's strength and experience in commercializing tissue samples we are moving ahead in fulfilling the needs of our customers. Now, with CancerSeq™ Plus, we are able to provide not just SNVs and indels, but also CNV information. In the near future, we will also offer gene fusion information, and we believe that such FFPE tumor tissues with genotyping information will address a current need for the NGS field." "This project really demonstrates the scalability of ArcherDX's parallel approach to tumor sampling," stated Josh Stahl, VP of R&D and Scientific Operations at ArcherDX. "Starting from FFPE sections, we are able to extract, QC, run and analyze the RNA and DNA of a sample using FusionPlex and VariantPlex Solid Tumor assays, respectively, in less than a week. This makes screening a large number of FFPE blocks that contain key mutations efficient and economical." About ArcherDX ArcherDX addresses the bottlenecks associated with using next-generation sequencing in translational research by offering a robust platform for targeted sequencing applications. By combining proprietary Anchored Multiplexed PCR (News - Alert) (AMP™) chemistry and easy-to-use, lyophilized reagents, ArcherDX technology generates highly enriched sequencing libraries to detect gene fusions, SNVs, indels and CNVs. Complemented by the Archer suite of bioinformatics software and readily accessible reports, ArcherDX technology dramatically enhances complex mutation identification and discovery. ArcherDX is headquartered in Boulder, Colo., and maintains manufacturing operations in Beverly, Mass. www.archerdx.com Note: Archer kits and analysis software are for research use only and not for use in diagnostic procedures. About BioChain Institute, Inc. BioChain Institute, Inc. is a supplier of biospecimens and life science reagents that employs proprietary technologies to deliver exceptional products to customers. Backed by ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certifications, BioChain delivers high quality biospecimen products, and tools for sample preparation and analysis - including PCR reagents, pre-screened NGS cancer samples, and automated nucleic acid extraction systems. BioChain also offers custom services in sample collection and sample preparation. We strive to accelerate the development of cancer diagnostics and therapeutics, while facilitating research. BioChain is headquartered in Newark, California and maintains a diagnostic division and reference laboratory in Beijing, China.
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