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IQuum Receives SBIR-NIH Phase II Grant for Development of Liat Technology for Nucleic Acid Test Allston, MA, September 5, 2002 -- IQuum, Inc. today announced that it has received a $1.6 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant award from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) for development of IQuum's Liat™ Analyzer and Liat™ Tube for nucleic acid testing. Based on the Company's proprietary lab-in-a-tube technology, the Liat system will enable minimally trained user to conduct advanced DNA-based diagnostic tests quickly, easily, and at low cost. To use the system, the operator simply collects the sample into the disposable Liat Tube, inserts the tube into the Liat Analyzer, and the completely automated analyzer reports the test results within 30-60 minutes. The analyzer is an affordable, hand-held device, battery powered for use at a patient's bedside or in the field. The entire test process, including sample preparation, DNA extraction, amplification, and detection, takes place in the closed Liat Tube."Current molecular diagnostic tests are slow and expensive, and must be conducted by highly trained technicians in a laboratory setting," said Dr. Shuqi Chen, IQuum founder and CEO. "Our Liat system will fundamentally change the way biological sample testing is used." Molecular diagnostics directly examine an organism's genetic make-up making them extremely specific, accurate, and sensitive. The tests are used for infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis, testing for genetic diseases or disease predispositions, cancer tests, and detection of bio-terrorism agents. In the future, molecular diagnostics will even enable physicians to prescribe customized treatments based on each patient's unique genetic make-up. This Phase II grant is a continuation of a SBIR-NIH Phase I grant for the development of the lab-in-a-tube technology for closed-tube polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The proposed research will build on this new amplification technology to incorporate sample preparation and real-time detection for a complete nucleic acid test solution. About IQuum, Inc. IQuum is a leader in developing lab-in-a-tube technology, a novel biological sample testing platform intended to provide revolutionary benefits to a broad cross section of the bioassay market. The Company's proprietary technology will enable the less experienced professional to perform more sophisticated biological sample testing in a less expensive setting with greater speed. The lab-in-a-tube platform is the foundation of next generation tools for clinical diagnostics, biodefense, and industrial testing. Founded in 1998, IQuum is located in the Boston metropolitan area in Massachusetts. For more information, please visit www.IQuum.com.
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