QuantaLife Droplet Digital™ PCR Receives Frost & Sullivan Innovation Award

PLEASANTON, Calif., June 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on recent analysis of the personalized medicine market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes QuantaLife, Inc. with the 2011 North American Frost & Sullivan Award for New Product Innovation for its Droplet Digital™ Polymerase Chain Reaction (ddPCR™) System. The QuantaLife ddPCR™ System introduces the next generation of PCR by providing absolute quantification of nucleic acid molecules, a capability that could play a significant role in the development of companion diagnostics and the emergence of personalized medicine–a role that has long been held by real-time PCR (qPCR).

More than 15 years ago, qPCR set the gold standard for sensitive DNA quantification and has been used extensively in areas such as disease research, diagnosis and preventative medicine. With even greater sensitivity and precision, the ddPCR™ System could become the new standard and replace qPCR in these and other applications.

"By allowing for detection of nucleic acids at higher resolution and lower target levels, Droplet Digital PCR has the ability to identify diseases earlier in progression, providing a major advantage for diagnostics and preventative medicine," said Bill Colson PhD, founder and CEO of QuantaLife.

This capability puts QuantaLife ddPCR™ System in a position to play a central role in the development of companion diagnostics and personalized medicine.

"Essentially, this new technology provides even more precise measurements than the gold-standard qPCR methods," said Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst Christi Bird. "The unmatched resolution allows detection of target molecules at extremely low levels, which has major implications for not only precise life science research applications, but also early diagnosis of disease and development of accurate companion diagnostics for personalized healthcare."

QuantaLife's ddPCR™ System consists of two instruments, the droplet generator and the droplet reader. The Droplet Generator, divides each sample into 20,000 one-nanoliter droplets. The samples are transferred onto plates and moved to a standard thermal cycler where the targeted DNA/RNA molecules are amplified using readily available qPCR assays. The amplified samples are then returned to QuantaLife's Droplet Reader where the droplets are streamed single-file past a two color fluorescence detector that reads each droplet as either positive or negative for the target DNA/RNA molecules. The system software then determines the concentration of the selected target in the original sample and provides absolute quantification in digital form.

The QuantaLife ddPCR™ System provides several advantages over traditional real-time PCR. In particular, the system can better detect the difference between samples with similar genomic structures, a major advantage in determining copy number variation. This precise technology can also identify a +/-10 percent difference in gene expression between samples. Additionally, the instrument can detect a rare difference against a similar and common background.

"This advantage allows extremely sensitive detection of rare mutations when real-time PCR fails at certain concentration due to competitive amplification of the common DNA," said Bird. "The excitement this technology is already generating is evident from the hefty $17.2 million Series B financing round the company received in December 2010."

"QuantaLife exhibits the qualities necessary for an entrepreneurial company to succeed–dedication to innovation, a next-generation platform that significantly exceeds earlier technologies, and a solid plan for future growth," according to Frost & Sullivan.  "The ddPCR™ System has the ability to significantly improve PCR resolution, impacting a plethora of applications requiring precise measurements.'

QuantaLife expects to begin shipping the QuantaLife ddPCR™ System in July 2011.

Frost & Sullivan expects even greater innovations from this new company over the next few years as it ramps up commercialization of the ddPCR™ System, builds awareness and pursues new markets. In recognition of its commitment to technology innovation and improving life sciences research and diagnostics, QuantaLife is the recipient of the 2011 Frost & Sullivan Award for New Product Innovation Award in personalized medicine.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that that has developed an innovative element in a product by leveraging leading edge technologies. The award recognizes the value added features and benefits of the product and the increased return on investment (ROI) it offers customers, which in turn increases customer acquisition and overall market penetration potential.

Frost & Sullivan's Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.

About QuantaLife, Inc.

QuantaLife, a venture-backed startup company based in Pleasanton, California, recently developed the Droplet Digital™ Polymerase Chain Reaction (ddPCR™) System, a next generation of PCR that provides an absolute quantification measurement of single molecules in nanoliter droplet form. The company was founded in August 2008. After launching the ddPCR™ System in November 2010, the firm closed $17.2 million in Series B financing in December.  This accelerated application development for QuantaLife's platform, leading to the establishment of commercial operations in 2011.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best-in-class positions in growth, innovation and leadership. The company's Growth Partnership Service provides the CEO and the CEO's Growth Team with disciplined research and best-practice models to drive the generation, evaluation, and implementation of powerful growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan leverages 50 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 40 offices on six continents. To join our Growth Partnership, please visit http://www.frost.com.

Visit us at www.quantalife.com

© 2011 QuantaLife, Inc. All rights reserved. QuantaLife, Droplet Digital, Third Generation of PCR and ddPCR are trademarks of QuantaLife, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE QuantaLife, Inc.