ChromaCode Launches First Commercial Assay, A Novel Multiplex Test for Detection of Tick-Borne Pathogens

First-of-its-kind multiplex PCR test for rapid detection of most common tick-borne pathogens

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Dec 11, 2018, 08:00 ET

CARLSBAD, Calif., Dec. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- ChromaCode, Inc., a company redefining molecular testing through data science, today announced the commercial launch of its first-ever multiplex test using the Company's proprietary High Definition Polymerase Chain Reaction (HDPCR™) technology. The HDPCR™ Tick-Borne Pathogen (TBP) Panel is the only multiplex PCR test that detects nine of the most common tick-borne pathogens in a single test.

Testing for tick carrying pathogens is most frequently done using serological assays for a small number of pathogens. Serological tests are challenged by the lack of immune system response in early infections. As a molecular test, HDPCR™ has the potential to allow for early identification of a broader array of pathogens.

HDPCR™ multiplexing technology combines proprietary data science algorithms with widely-used, low-cost chemistries to increase the multiplexing levels of common real-time PCR (qPCR) and digital PCR (dPCR) instruments for simultaneous detection of multiple (5-50) targets in a single reaction. Data are analyzed on the secure ChromaCode Cloud.

ChromaCode's HDPCR™ TBP panel is the first multiplex PCR test capable of detecting the most common tick-borne pathogens from whole blood specimens in under four hours. Key features of the TBP Panel include a 3x increase in qPCR multiplexing, seamless integration onto common qPCR instrumentation, scalable throughput, and streamlined data analysis, management, and test customization with the ChromaCode Cloud software.

Greg Gosch, President and CEO of ChromaCode, commented, "The launch of our first HDPCR™ multiplex panel marks a major milestone for ChromaCode. In just over three years, we have translated the initial Caltech technology into a commercially viable product. Our team's unique data-science approach to expanding multiplexing allows customers to increase performance and lower costs simultaneously. This is the first of many exciting applications in our product pipeline."

"The burden of tick-borne illness is increasing. Currently, there are limited single-plex PCR options and no multiplex PCR options for detecting tick-borne pathogens," said Glen Hansen, Ph.D., D(ABMM), Director, Director of Clinical Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics, Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN. "ChromaCode's HDPCR TBP Panel is appealing because we have never been able to test for all of these pathogens simultaneously to understand just how many dual and triple infections are occurring in tick populations."

This product is for research use only (RUO). Learn more about ChromaCode's new HDPCR™ TBP (RUO) Panel by visiting www.chromacode.com/products/hdpcr-tick-borne-pathogen-tbp-panel.

About ChromaCode
ChromaCode's HDPCR™ multiplexing technology is the unique coupling of widely-used, low-cost chemistries with proprietary software using data science algorithms. We use this technology to empower the enormous, global installed base of real-time and digital PCR instrumentation to perform higher multiplexing at a very low cost. Using HDPCR™, ChromaCode is seeking to broaden global access to advanced diagnostics, reduce healthcare costs, and rapidly address unmet healthcare testing needs.

SOURCE ChromaCode, Inc.