Arrayjet, the Scottish-based microarray instrumentation company has won a contract with Reproductive Health Science (RHS), an innovative Australian (Adelaide-based) prenatal diagnostic company which is looking to take a piece of the fast growing prenatal IVD (in vitro diagnostic) market
The contract sees RHS take delivery of Arrayjet’s high-throughput Marathon Argus machine, which will be fitted with the newly developed in line camera QC system, capable of continuous print runs of 100 slides which RHS will use for its pioneering EmbryoCellect™ test for PGS (Pre-Implantation Genetic Screening). This test uses a single cell or a few cells isolated from an embryo in culture to screen for the 22 autosomal chromosomes and two sex chromosomes required in a viable embryo.
Aneuploidy status is a key determinant in the implantation success rate of the embryo during IVF and the sector has been heavily targeted by major players such as Illumina and Agilent in recent years.
The RHS investment in the Argus builds on the existing relationship between the two companies and will allow RHS to roll out its worldwide growth strategy in the coming months. Distribution agreements are already in place in India, Israel, Southern Africa and Turkey with further announcements expected.
Iain McWilliam, CEO of Arrayjet comments;
“RHS is at the cutting edge of IVD technology and we are delighted they have chosen us to partner them at this exciting phase of their development. The Marathon Argus will provide the means to effect fast and accurate microarray production giving RHS confidence in their diagnostic products.”
Both Iain McWilliam and Dr Michelle Fraser, CEO RHS are confident this partnership will help propel both companies into the mainstream of the IVF diagnostics market, which is growing at 10 % pa.
For further information, please contact Kevin Dorrian at Acumen – +44 (0) 131 661 7027 or email – kevin.dorrian@acumen-pr.com – www.acumen-pr.com
Editor’s Note:
About Arrayjet
Arrayjet is a leading providers of innovative microarray solutions to researchers, drug development groups and diagnostic companies across 24 countries world-wide. Offering a flexible, customer focussed approach with the provision of Arrayjet Advance™ microarray printing services in addition to a range of five scalable microarray printers, accessories & consumables.
Arrayjet’s microarray printing technology uses a unique, non-contact, inkjet printhead that offers unrivalled speed, reproducibility and precision to deliver high quality microarrays faster than any other technology.
Arrayjet is supported by investment from the Archangels business angel syndicate (www.archangelsonline.com) and Scottish Enterprise (www.scottish-enterprise.com).
About RHS – Reproductive Health Science
Reproductive Health Science (ASX:RHS) is an advanced biotech company focussed on improving health and research outcomes through the application of its frontier technologies. RHS has successfully developed its lead product EmbryoCellect ™ to assess embryos for chromosomal abnormalities prior to implantation as part of an In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) cycle. Launched in 2014, EmbryoCellect ™ contains cell lysis, whole genome amplification and labelling reagents as well as a proprietary RHS manufactured microarray capable of determining the chromosome number in single or small numbers of cells.
