Rubicon Genomics Launches ThruPLEX™ Family of Sample Preparation Products for Next Generation Sequencing Applications

ANN ARBOR, Mich., May 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Rubicon Genomics, Inc., a leader in the development and commercialization of sample-specific pre-analytical processes to improve the performance and capabilities of DNA and RNA analytical platforms for research and clinical testing, today announced the launch of the first product in its innovative ThruPLEX™ family of sample preparation kits designed and optimized for next generation sequencing (NGS).  ThruPLEX-FD kits leverage Rubicon's patented DNA repair and ligation methods to deliver significantly faster and more sensitive sequencing of plasma, formalin-fixed, ChIP and other fragmented DNA with substantially increased throughput.  ThruPLEX kits are also applicable to sample preparation for PCR and microarray testing.

"The accelerated adoption of NGS technology has created a demand for faster and more sensitive sample preparation," noted James Koziarz, CEO of Rubicon.  "Breaking with the traditional multi-step process requiring intermediate transfers and purifications, ThruPLEX uses more efficient enzymology to repair, ligate and amplify the DNA molecules in a single tube.  Our patented three-step process enables high quality sequencing of clinical samples that were previously too small or degraded to be tested."

Henry Long, Ph.D., Associate Director of the Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, commented, "Our experience with the ThruPLEX-FD library prep has been extremely positive.  Both at Rubicon and in our hands it has proven able to generate high quality, diverse libraries from 10-times less input than other kits we have used.  For us this technology truly enables the study of samples that simply weren't possible before adopting it."

ThruPLEX-FD is a streamlined one-tube, three-step process without intermediate purifications, transfers, columns or gels.  The reduced steps and material transfers decrease the likelihood of experimental variability, bias and contamination.  DNA is sequencing-ready in two hours with as little as 15 minutes of hands-on time.  A technician can prepare 192 ThruPLEX samples a day—a 15-fold increase in productivity compared to current methods.  ThruPLEX-FD is designed and validated for use with samples as small as 50 picograms of human DNA and can be used in plasma, FFPE, cDNA, ChIP and population studies.  ThruPLEX-FD is currently available as 48-reaction, 12-index kits for sequencing on Illumina® HiSeq®, MiSeq® and Genome Analyzer instruments.  ThruPLEX-FD kits are also being developed for additional formats and platforms.

Mr. Koziarz continued, "ThruPLEX-FD highlights the power of this new technology, producing accurate and reproducible results from very small amounts of fragmented DNA.  We believe our ThruPLEX products will facilitate wider use of NGS and look forward to releasing additional ThruPLEX products later this year."

For more information about ThruPLEX-FD, visit www.rubicongenomics.com/products/ThruPLEX-FD.

Separately, Rubicon announced that Kenneth Solomon has joined the company as Director, Sales and Marketing.  Mr. Solomon has extensive experience in marketing, sales and sales management for technologically advanced biomedical products, holding positions of increasing responsibility at Centocor Ortho Biotech, Pharmacia/Searle, Biomet, Boehringer Mannheim and others.

Mr. Koziarz commented, "Ken is a seasoned sales professional who brings us a track record of success in building market and product awareness for innovative biomedical products in both large and start-up companies.  He has managed sales organizations addressing a variety of biomedical customers, including academic and research centers.  As we further expand our product line of advanced pre-analytical amplification technologies, Ken will be instrumental in establishing Rubicon as a premier company in this rapidly growing sector."

About Rubicon Genomics

Rubicon Genomics, Inc. is a leader in the development and commercialization of sample-specific pre-analytical processes to improve the performance and capabilities of DNA and RNA analytical platforms for research and clinical testing.  The company's core competency is the creation of more efficient molecular biology tools for genetic, epigenetic and expression analysis of difficult clinical samples to facilitate gene-based research, drug development, diagnostics and forensics.  Privately held Rubicon is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  For more information, visit www.rubicongenomics.com.

SOURCE Rubicon Genomics, Inc.