Tm Bioscience Corp fka TMC

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TM BIOSCIENCE Launches New Multiplex Tag-It(TM) Mutation Detection Kit - Ashkenazi Jewish Panel
Monday October 18, 8:05 am ET

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/041018/to049_1.html

- The Tag-It(TM) Ashkenazi Jewish Panel(x), consolidating eight genetic tests into one, demonstrates the power of multiplexing -
TSX: TMC


TORONTO, Oct. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Tm Bioscience Corporation (Toronto, Ontario; TSX: TMC), an emerging leader in the commercial genetic testing market, today announced the launch of its newest Tag-It(TM) Mutation Detection Kit - the Ashkenazi Jewish Panel (AJP), a single genetic test that combines mutation detection for eight disease states into one assay.
"It's great to see our existing customer base demanding this product. These types of combined tests have the power to revolutionize the genetic testing industry," said Greg Hines, President and CEO of Tm Bioscience. "Our single eight-disease mutation detection test will allow commercial laboratories to consolidate eight different testing benches, greatly reducing costs and labour, providing capacity to run other companion Tag-It(TM) assays like our Cystic Fibrosis Mutation detection test. This product showcases the flexibility of our platform, which we are leveraging to drive the development of a broad range of innovative tests for both established and emerging opportunities in the fast growing genetic testing arena."

The Tag-It(TM) Mutation Detection Kit - Ashkenazi Jewish Panel provides simultaneous detection of 30 different mutations associated with eight diseases in a multiplex format. These diseases include: Tay-Sachs disease, Canavan Disease, Familial Dysautonomia, Gaucher Disease, Bloom Syndrome, Fanconi Anemia, Neimann-Pick, and Mucolipidosis Type IV. Powerful software provides the results of detecting mutations in one, several, or all eight genes associated with these diseases in an easy to read report.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists currently recommend carrier screening for Tay-Sachs disease, Canavan disease and familial dysautonomia in the Ashkenazi Jewish population. Tay-Sachs disease mutations are also found in higher frequencies among populations of Irish descent (an estimated 35 million persons in the US), who can also be tested by the same kit.

"Unlike two dimensional gene chips," explained Dr. Richard Janeczko, Chief Scientific Officer, "the Tag-It(TM) platform's bead based format provides multiplex testing without sacrificing performance. The science behind the AJP assay is just another example of the flexibility and potential of this platform, which is generating a lot of excitement in the industry."

About Tag-It(TM) genetic tests

Tm Bioscience's product menu is focused in the fields of human genetic disorders, pharmacogenetics and infectious disease. The Company has already commercialized a series of Tag-It(TM) tests for coagulation genes (Factor V, Factor II, MTHFR)(x), Cystic Fibrosis gene (CFTR 40+4 and ASR format)(xx), and drug metabolism genes (Tag-It(TM) P450-2D6, P450-2C9, P450-2C19)(x). All genetic tests from Tm Bioscience are based on the Tag-It(TM) Universal Array platform, which utilizes a proprietary universal tag system that allows for easy optimization, product development and expansion. Assays from Tm operate on the Luminex xMAP® system, a well established bead based instrument. Combined, the Universal Array and Luminex instrument enable the rapid production of flexible, highly accurate, high-throughput, low-cost DNA-based tests.

(x) For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
(xx) Analyte Specific Reagent. Analytical and performance characteristics
are not established.


About Tm Bioscience - Putting the Human Genome to Work(TM)

Tm Bioscience is a DNA-based diagnostics company developing a suite of genetic tests. Tm Bioscience's product pipeline includes tests for genetic disorders, drug metabolism, and infectious diseases. Tm Bioscience is located in Toronto, Ontario. Additional information about Tm Bioscience can be found at www.tmbioscience.com.