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Nagase & Co., Ltd. has begun sales of its automatic Nucleic
Acid Isolation Systems in Japan penetrating into the genetics-related
business. Year 2000 Nagase obtained distributorship for the
system from Toyobo, and is planning strategic alliances with
medical institutions.
Genetic diagnosis is now widely adopted in clinical testing.
The process consists of extraction of DNA/RNA from a specimen,
amplification, detection and finally diagnosis. Automation
of a closed-system process is fast becoming a common market
practice for systems using the PCR method, a standard for
gene amplification. However when it comes to the preliminary
process of isolation, it is common to see adding of reagents
to multiple specimens done manually in an open room. Thus
when the number of specimens increases, demand for reliability
mounts up and a quest for system automation is hence anticipated.
The Nucleic Acid Isolation System MAGFREX has a compact design.
Toyobo will supply reagents, and Nagase & Co., Ltd. will
manufacture the system. When a specimen is placed in the unit,
the exact amount of reagent is added automatically and isolated
in a closed container, eliminating risks for cross-contamination,
increases reliability and energy saving. The system is particularly
suitable for DNA/RNA isolation in the diagnosis of tuberculosis,
hepatitis C (HCV), hepatitis B (HBV), and hospital-acquired
infections, such as vancomycin resistant enterococcus (VRE)
and 0-157, which are growing problems.
Extraction is using the mechanism of adding cellular and
absorption solution, as reagents, to specimens such as blood
or sputum, and then adding an absorption substrate of silica
particles. The nucleic acid of the specimen is differentially
absorbed on the surface of the particles and then recovered
after the removal of impurities. Some medical institutions
have already shown strong interest in the system, an opportunity
for Nagase to accelerate active marketing. Next, Nagase is
considering penetrating into the genetics-related material
supply business.
Nagase has maintained a firm sales distribution of blood
serum and biochemical testing equipment for over 25 years,
in conjunction to bacteriological testing reagents, the new
system will play an important role in medical care business,
which currently maintains a turnover of about 2 million yen.
With the widespread adoption of genetic diagnosis, there is
anticipation of a substantial market demand for a system that
enables efficient pre-processing; Nagase is targeting to sell
50 units of the Nucleic Acid Isolation Systems in Japan within
three years, primarily to national medical institutions.
(Source: The Chemical Daily)
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