Canon BioMedical launches assays for spinal muscular atrophy research

MELVILLE, N.Y., Nov. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Everyone wants to run and enjoy an active, physically enabled lifestyle. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) slowly takes that away as nerve cells in the spinal cord break down and die. Most cases of SMA are related to the deletion of a specific gene, SMN1; however, determining disease severity is a multifactor assessment relating to the copy number of a highly homologous gene, SMN2.

Often, copy number variation studies of SMN1 and SMN2 require a combination of specialized instrument systems, laborious workflows, and expensive reagents. These established solutions are costly per sample and make it difficult to test a large number of samples. Canon BioMedical is excited to offer researchers a simplified method to accurately determine SMN1 and SMN2 copy number. The PCR-based method only requires a thermocycler capable of high-resolution melting (HRM) and a single sample replicate. The Novallele copy number assays are thoroughly bench tested and optimized to work with multiple HRM-capable thermocyclers and numerous DNA extraction methods. With some thermocyclers, results can even be generated in under an hour.

"Our research and development team worked really hard to make sure our new copy number assays perform consistently and reliably for our customers. This isn't an easy analysis to perform, but we developed a solution that is simple, fast, and accurate," states Dennis Snyder, Senior Director of Global Commercial Operations for Canon BioMedical. "We hope our copy number assays for the SMN1 and SMN2 genes will help researchers understand spinal muscular atrophy and advance treatment for this terrible disease."

Complete details about each Novallele copy number assay are now available at www.canon-biomedical.com. In addition, Canon BioMedical will launch the Novallele copy number assays at the Association of Molecular Pathologists 2017 Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah. Find us at Booth 901 in the exhibit hall to discuss how our Novallele copy number assays can simplify your copy number analysis using technology already in your laboratory.

The Novallele copy number assays are now available in the U.S. directly from Canon BioMedical. In addition, the Novallele copy number assays are available in Belgium, Canada, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom through our distributors.

About Canon BioMedical

Canon BioMedical, a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., Inc., is focused on empowering the biomedical research and healthcare communities by developing, manufacturing, and marketing innovative technologies and solutions. The technologies and solutions developed will help enable clinicians and scientists to improve our health and advance science. Canon BioMedical will continue to pursue innovative solutions in line with Canon's Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility through the use of existing and emerging Canon technology as well as strategic partnerships.

The products mentioned in this document are for Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.
© 2017 Canon BioMedical, Inc. All rights reserved.

SOURCE Canon BioMedical

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