Edico Genome Collaborates with Sequenom, Inc. to Accelerate Analysis of Whole Genome Data for Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Edico Genome today announced that Sequenom, Inc., a life sciences company that provides innovative genetic analysis solutions, purchased an Edico Genome DRAGEN™ Bio-IT Processor. The DRAGEN Bio-IT Processor is the world's first next-generation sequencing bioinformatics application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which is embedded on a PCIe form factor card and accompanied with software as a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) platform. The two companies recently completed a proof-of-concept study, comparing results between Sequenom Laboratories' (a wholly owned subsidiary of Sequenom, Inc.) current analysis pipeline and the results using DRAGEN.

"Edico Genome's DRAGEN chip analyzes the large amounts of sequencing data we generate in a rapid and cost-effective manner, without compromising accuracy," said Tim Burcham, Ph.D., Vice President, Informatics and Software of Sequenom, Inc. "This has the potential to improve the analysis of next-generation sequencing data, by reducing analysis time and storage costs, and potentially improving turnaround time."

Results from the collaborators' study comparing standard software used by Sequenom Laboratories and the DRAGEN processer have been accepted for a poster presentation at the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) annual meeting in October as part of the Bioinformatics and Genomic Technology session (1675M).

"The sale of our first DRAGEN chip in less than two years since founding the company is a key milestone for Edico Genome," said Pieter van Rooyen, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Edico Genome. "The non-invasive prenatal testing market is a space where our chip's ability to analyze large amounts of genomic data faster and more cost efficiently could have a significant impact. We look forward to exploring DRAGEN's potential in additional markets, such as comprehensive tumor profiling for cancer patients and diagnosis of rare genetic diseases."

DRAGEN can be integrated into sequencing machines and next-generation sequencing bioinformatics servers. The processor is loaded with highly optimized algorithms for mapping, alignment, sorting and variant calling. DRAGEN is anticipated to broadly launch at the ASHG annual meeting, and interested parties may apply for early access to the technology here. A DRAGEN giveaway will also take place at the conference; visit Edico's booth 632 to enter or follow hashtag #EntertheDRAGEN.

About Edico Genome

Edico Genome has developed the DRAGEN™ Bio-IT Processor, the world's first next-generation sequencing bioinformatics application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which is embedded on a PCIe form factor card and accompanied with software as a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) platform. This chip is able to analyze the large amounts of data generated by next-generation sequencing rapidly and cost effectively, without compromising accuracy, and overcoming a key bottleneck in the DNA sequencing workflow. The company is a member of EvoNexus, San Diego's only community-supported, fully pro-bono technology incubator. For more information, visit www.EdicoGenome.com.

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SOURCE Edico Genome