LexaGene’s Analyzer is Designed to Detect Pathogens such as the Novel Coronavirus to Help Avert a Pandemic
January 27 2020 - 7:58AM
LexaGene Holdings, Inc., (OTCQB: LXXGF; TSX-V: LXG) (“LexaGene” or
the “Company”), a biotechnology company that develops genetic
analyzers for the rapid detection of pathogens and other molecular
markers, has received many inquiries regarding the ability of
LexaGene’s technology for detecting coronavirus.
“LexaGene’s technology is ideally suited to identify novel
pathogens such as coronavirus. Our genetic analyzer can quickly
detect new pathogens in just one hour, on-site. Currently, the
traditional process requires that samples from sick individuals
must be transported to laboratories for manual processing. This is
extremely inefficient and introduces a significant time-delay that
can have severe consequences for disease spread. Today’s
coronavirus outbreak highlights why LexaGene’s technology is needed
so desperately,” said Dr. Jack Regan, LexaGene’s CEO and
Founder.
This new pathogen first emerged in mid-December when several
workers in the Huanan Seafood Market of Wuhan, China displayed
symptoms of severe pneumonia from an unknown pathogen. On January
9th, China CDC reported that the infections were due to a novel
coronavirus, currently referred to as 2019-nCoV. In an
attempt to control disease spread, the Chinese government has
quarantined entire cities, and international airports are now
screening travelers from affected areas. Despite these
efforts, the World Health Organization reported that by January
26th, over 2,000 cases had been confirmed and 56 deaths were
reported.1 Human-to-human transmission has been confirmed and
the disease has quickly spread to ten other countries, including
the United States, France, Canada, and Australia. The risk of
a pandemic is now very real.
Dr. Regan continues, “Developing a new diagnostic test to detect
this coronavirus is important and has already been done by numerous
groups.2 The challenge is bringing these manually performed
tests out of the specialized reference laboratories that can take
days to return results and instead to the points-of-need, which are
the clinics, hospitals, and airports where answers are needed in
one hour or less. Currently, no technology exists that allows
for these locations to readily start screening for a new threat
within days of an outbreak being identified. LexaGene is
addressing this urgent problem and has developed the first ever,
easy-to-use, open-access diagnostic analyzer that is designed to
help control the spread of deadly outbreaks such as this 2019
coronavirus.”
LexaGene’s microfluidic technology is designed for on-site use
and screens for both common pathogens and new bio-threats.
This is possible due to its open-access feature that permits
non-technical operators to quickly add new tests to detect novel
pathogens.
LexaGene is now finalizing the design of its commercial
instrument, which it anticipates starting to manufacture in a few
months, with the expectation of achieving first commercial sales in
Q3 of this year. For implementation in hospitals, clinics,
airports, and other locations interested in processing human
samples for clinical purposes, the Company will need either
Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) or 510(k) clearance from the Food
and Drug Administration (FDA).
1 https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200126-sitrep-6-2019--ncov.pdf?sfvrsn=beaeee0c_4
2
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/wuhan-virus-assay-v1991527e5122341d99287a1b17c111902.pdf
About LexaGene Holdings Inc.LexaGene is a
biotechnology company that develops genetic analyzers for pathogen
detection and other molecular markers for on-site rapid testing in
veterinary diagnostics, food safety and for use in open-access
markets such as clinical research, agricultural testing and
biodefense. End-users simply need to collect a sample, load it onto
the instrument with a sample preparation cartridge, enter sample ID
and press ‘go’. The LX Analyzer delivers excellent sensitivity,
specificity, and breadth of detection and can return results in
about 1 hour. The unique open-access feature is designed for custom
testing so that end-users can load their own real-time PCR assays
onto the instrument to target any genetic target of interest.
Media Contacts Nicole Ridgedale Director of
Corporate Marketing, LexaGene800.215.1824 ext
206nridgedale@lexagene.com
Investor Relations Jay AdelaarVice President of
Capital Markets, LexaGene800.215.1824 ext
207jadelaar@lexagene.com
The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way
passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither
approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider
(as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture
Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of
this release.
This news release contains forward-looking information, which
involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
that may cause actual events to differ materially from current
expectation. Important factors -- including the availability of
funds, the results of financing efforts, the success of technology
development efforts, the cost to procure critical parts,
performance of the instrument, market acceptance of the technology,
regulatory acceptance, and licensing issues -- that could cause
actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations
as disclosed in the Company's documents filed from time to time on
SEDAR (see www.sedar.com). Readers are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak
only as of the date of this press release. The company disclaims
any intention or obligation, except to the extent required by law,
to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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