DNAPrint genomics Introduces New Product for Law Enforcement
February 23 2005 - 10:20AM
PR Newswire (US)
DNAPrint genomics Introduces New Product for Law Enforcement
Ancestry Typing Kit Developed for Forensics and Crime Laboratories
SARASOTA, Fla., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DNAPrint
genomics, Inc. (OTC:DNAP) (BULLETIN BOARD: DNAP) today announced
the introduction of its new DNAWitness(TM) testing kit utilizing
the Company's proprietary DNAWitness(TM) forensics technology for
the law enforcement market, the only testing method available with
predictive capability that can identify the percentage of a
person's genetic makeup. "The kit is a natural progression of the
Company's DNAWitness(TM) testing service, which previously was only
performed at DNAPrint's Sarasota laboratory, and will enable
forensics experts to conduct their own tests in their own
facilities," stated Richard Gabriel, the Company's President and
Chief Executive Officer. "We anticipate that by making
DNAWitness(TM) directly available to law enforcement agencies, the
kit will lead to more rapid integration of our technology into the
global forensics market and we expect it to be a significant
revenue source for the Company. At the same time, we will continue
to build on our established DNAWitness(TM) custom services at our
own facilities to clients who prefer to outsource their DNA
laboratory work." DNAWitness(TM) forensics technology analyzes DNA
recovered at a crime scene and provides the percentage of
Bio-Geographical Ancestry (BGA) makeup among four possible genetic
groups -- Sub-Saharan Africa, Native American, East Asian and
Indo-European, narrowing the list of potential suspects that
investigators are seeking in connection with a crime. "The kit puts
the power of DNAPrint's forensics technology directly into the
hands of local crime scene investigators," stated Zach Gaskin,
DNAPrint's Technical Coordinator of Forensics. "It also is a
valuable time- and cost- saving investigative tool because it
reduces the number of false leads that detectives normally would
have to chase. In addition, many forensics laboratories want to
keep control of their crime scene samples in order to maintain a
chain of custody for evidence in order to reduce challenges in
court." The kit, officially introduced on Tuesday at the American
Academy of Forensic Science meeting in New Orleans, La., is the
first of its kind developed for the consumable test kit market and
contains all of the reagents and protocols required for forensics
laboratories around the world to perform their own ancestry
analysis. Proprietary on-line software systems provided by
DNAPrint(TM) are expected to enable investigators to interpret
their results and relate them to the likely anthropometric
(physical) features of a would-be suspect by referencing DNA
samples to DNAPrint's proprietary ancestry databases. The
DNAWitness(TM) kit can be utilized on capillary electrophoresis
(CE) instruments commonly found in forensic and university
laboratories. Starting this week, the kit will be entering beta
testing at select forensics laboratories. After the testing phase,
which is expected to take three to four months, the Company intends
to build an inventory of kits for its distributor network and its
own sales force for sale to the forensics market. The Company's
testing services are available for the screening of a large number
of samples or individual samples, until and even after the kit is
available; investigators, forensic scientists and medical examiners
need not wait until the kit is available to access this powerful
new technology. DNAPrint(TM) introduced DNAWitness(TM) technology
to the law enforcement community in early 2003 and immediately
gained national attention when it was credited with assisting in
the apprehension of a suspected serial killer in Louisiana. It
currently is aiding law enforcement agencies in more than 80
criminal investigations in the United States, United Kingdom,
Australia and Canada. About DNAPrint genomics, Inc. DNAPrint
genomics, Inc. uses proprietary human genome research methods to
develop genomic-based services and products. The Company's
ANCESTRYby DNA(TM) is a consumer product for individuals interested
in learning their family heritage. DNAWitness(TM) is a forensics
market tool for analyzing DNA evidence recovered at a crime scene.
DNAPrint is also developing products in the pharmacogenomic market
including OVANOME(TM), a genomic-based diagnostic tool that matches
ovarian cancer patients with the most suitable form and dose of
chemotherapy, and STATINOME(TM), a test for the cardiac drug market
to determine whether patients will be good or poor responders to
statins, which are effective in cholesterol reduction. For more
information about the company, please visit
http://www.dnaprint.com/ . Safe Harbor Provision All statements in
this press release that are not historical are forward- looking
statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those projected,
including, but not limited to, uncertainties relating to
technologies, product development, manufacturing, market
acceptance, cost and pricing of DNAPrint's products, dependence on
collaborations and partners, regulatory approvals, competition,
intellectual property of others, and patent protection and
litigation. DNAPrint genomics, Inc. expressly disclaims any
obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or
revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to
reflect any change in DNAPrint's expectations with regard thereto
or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any
such statements are based. Company Contact: Richard Gabriel
President and CEO 941-366-3400 -or- Ron Stabiner The Wall Street
Group, Inc. 212-888-4848 DATASOURCE: DNAPrint genomics CONTACT:
Richard Gabriel, President and CEO, DNAPrint genomics,
+1-941-366-3400; or Ron Stabiner, The Wall Street Group, Inc.,
+1-212-888-4848, for DNAPrint genomics Web site:
http://www.dnaprint.com/
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