Primagen to Provide Quest Diagnostics With Retina Mitox Mitochondrial(TM) DNA Blood Test for Scientific Research Use
Posted on: Tuesday, 13 July 2004, 06:00 CDT
AMSTERDAM, July 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Primagen Holding B.V. (http://www.primagen.com/), a provider of molecular diagnostic tests for infectious diseases, AIDS and cancer, announced that it will provide Quest Diagnostics Incorporated reagents and kits to perform its proprietary Retina(TM) Mitox(TM) test to quantify human mitochondrial DNA in blood cells for studies by government, academic and clinical research organizations.
Mitochondria, the key energy-generating organelles in the cell, are unique in having their own replication enzyme, DNA polymerase gamma. Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), a category of antiviral drugs used against HIV, affects the function of this enzyme, leading to the depletion of mitochondrial DNA. Such inhibition of the mitochondrial DNA synthesis is the mechanism of several known toxicities of nucleoside analogues: myopathy, cardiomyopathy, peripheral neuropathy, pancreatitis, lactic acidosis, hepatic steatosis and lipodystrophy. NRTI-related toxicities present a significant problem in the treatment of patients infected with HIV-1. To help alleviate this problem, Primagen has developed a molecular test to assess the mitochondrial DNA content of cells from blood or tissue. Through the new agreement, Quest Diagnostics will provide testing on a limited basis only to research organizations interested in studying the test's potential impact.
"We look forward to the relationship with Quest Diagnostics," said Bob van Gemen, CEO of Primagen. "This relationship provides an exciting opportunity to expand the clinical research effort with high quality Mitox(TM) diagnostic service and underscores our efforts to show the added value of mitochondrial DNA testing assessing adverse effects of antiviral treatment."
About Primagen
Primagen Holding B.V. is a privately held company headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Primagen designs, develops and commercializes molecular tests that have high, individualized predictive value and improve the quality of life for patients suffering from life-threatening diseases, such as infections, AIDS and cancer. The company is solution-driven and selects those leads for potential products in which proprietary intellectual property can be leveraged rapidly from bench to market. Primagen has two marketed molecular product lines: Retina(TM) Mitox(TM) products measure mitochondrial DNA and RNA in clinical samples with unmatched accuracy. The Retina(TM) Rainbow product enables detection of all circulating HIV-1 subtypes and combined with Primagen's proprietary dried bloodspot filter paper technology brings HIV-1 viral load measurement to resource-poor environments.
Primagen Holding B.V.
CONTACT: For further information: Primagen Holding B.V. Dr. Bob vanGemen Chief Executive Officer Meibergdreef 59 1105 BAAmsterdam The Netherlands Tel: +31-20-566-8575 Fax:+31-20-566-9081 Mobile: +31-6-512-600-13 E-mail:b.vangemen@primagen.com
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