Novel Field-Assisted LOAC System – A New Era in Rapid Point-of-Care Diagnostics

SAN FRANCISCO, March 5 /PRNewswire/ — Hai Kang Life Corporation Limited (HKLife) announced its patented field-assisted LOAC (Lab-on-a-Chip) system, the EFADchip technology at the Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s 16th International Molecular Medicine Tri-Conference held in San Francisco through 25-27 February 2009. This forum has been at the forefront for showcasing the growth, the challenges and the opportunities in molecular medicine, a market poised to revolutionize healthcare as we know it today.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081117/FSLOGO)

Company Founder, Chairman and CEO, Professor Albert C. H. Yu, is a renowned neuroscientist and bio-entrepreneur. His broad, cross-cultural experience and active involvement in both the academic and business environment led to the strategic vision behind the success of the HKLife team. Meanwhile, COO and General Manager, Dr. Terence L. T. Lau has been instrumental in driving HKLife and its subsidiaries. His cumulative success and achievements in both academia and bio-commercial endeavors continues to bring HKLife’s vision of becoming “the world’s leading molecular diagnostics company” closer to fruition. HKLife has pioneered the development of advanced and ground-breaking DNA-based diagnostic technologies. HKLife’s unique business model incorporates the development of its novel EFADchip technology into a fully-functional platform. Thereby, creating the impetus to revolutionize the practice of clinical and point-of-care diagnostics and ultimately establishing HKLife as a prominent player in driving Asia into the globally competitive biotechnology arena.

The EFADchip technology uses electric field-assisted DNA hybridization to accelerate the detection of biological samples on a single chip. The key differentiator of this technology is the use of a dielectric material for both electric field generation and capture probe DNA immobilization, thus avoiding adverse electrochemical effects that can lead to reduced sensitivity and accuracy of detection. The EFADchip is fabricated using widely available materials and common photolithographic techniques well known in the miniaturized electronics industry, resulting in a structure that is inherently stable under varying ambient conditions.

This platform has the potential to revolutionize clinical diagnostics practices, by providing a cost-effective solution for point-of-care applications and the potential for individualized medicine. HKLife’s EFADchip:

    -- Uses novel technology to accelerate the migration of DNA to the
       reactive sites within the chip, thereby enabling rapid,
       sensitive and specific hybridization in minutes without the
       undesirable impact of electrochemical reactions,

    -- Employs a signal detection system that does not require fluorescence,
       having a substantial impact on the present cost parameters where
       complexity of detection equipment is a significant deterrent for
       wide-spread adoption,

    -- Has the potential to be customized for specific market applications
       including the full spectrum of molecular diagnostics, drug discovery,
       bio-security and forensics,

    -- Is not limited to human application and is suitable for a variety of
       veterinary, food safety and environmental needs, either in remote
       areas or the industrial setting, and

    -- Will provide an easy-to-use, portable and low-cost detection solution,
       enabling rapid throughput screening for simple or multiple dangerous
       diseases, a precursor to a bio-radar surveillance system.

Prof Yu’s introduction of the EFADchip technology was extremely well received by the molecular medicine industry audience at the Tri-Conference. His presentation gave them food-for-thought and initiated discussions around the concepts of diagnostic tools and bio-radar surveillance. Clearly, HKLife’s focus on revolutionizing point-of-care diagnostics and realizing personalized medicine was of timely and significant interest to them. This is the first in a series of communications that HKLife has planned throughout 2009. They will be announcing further evolutionary steps and sharing more detailed performance-based results from their exciting new technology.

About HKLife

Hai Kang Life Corporation Limited, formerly known as Hong Kong DNA Chips, was established with independent research funding in 1999. The company is strategically positioned at the hub of Asian biotechnology, equipped with the most advanced research and production facilities in both Beijing and Hong Kong. Strong working relationships with academic institutions, government and industry partners have created a solid foundation for business success. The world-class team of scientists, engineers and technologists, supported by a highly esteemed Scientific Advisor Board, is committed to maintaining HKLife’s position at the forefront of bio-business, leveraging best practices from both East and West.

For more information about HKLife’s EFADchip, visit http://www.haikanglife.com

    Contact:
    media@haikanglife.com

    Kinnie Ho in Hong Kong
    +852 2111 2123 ext 30

    Eric Cox in Beijing
    +86 10 58022828 ext 304

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan