MassHighTech September 29, 2003

 

U.S. Genomics wins $500K Phase II SBIR grant

Woburn’s U.S. Genomics, a privately held developer of single molecule analysis technologies for the life sciences industry, has received a Phase II SBIR grant from the National Science Foundation.

The $500,000 grant will be used to advance the development of the company's technology for rapid DNA analysis and genomic mapping. U.S. Genomics says it anticipates that under this grant it will advance the development of the platform's capabilities as well as develop specific life sciences applications that will position the technology for commercialization.

"This follow-on SBIR grant is further validation of our genomic mapping technology and will provide us with the funding to accelerate our development efforts," said Stephen P. DeFalco, chairman and chief executive officer of U.S. Genomics, in a statement. "Our technology is a unique tool for genomics researchers because of a combination of features - single-molecule sensitivity, capability to analyze very long DNA molecules, ultra high throughput, and the ability of the platform to identify and map key sites of interest rapidly."

In October 2002, U.S. Genomics was awarded a Phase I SBIR grant to generate genomic maps based on analyses of individual DNA molecules. The company will use the new Phase II grant to further the capabilities of the DNA platform by optimizing its nanofluidics, developing novel fluorescence detection strategies, and designing simpler and more rapid methods to prepare and isolate samples.