Qiagen Licenses Helicase-Dependent Isothermal DNA Amplification System

Qiagen (Hamburg, German) and privately held BioHelix Corp. (Beverly, MA, USA) have entered into a non-exclusive worldwide license and supply agreement for BioHelix's Helicase Dependent Amplification (HDA) technology.

HDA is a versatile assay technology to detect and analyze biologic target molecules such as DNA and RNA by amplifying target-specific genetic information with a high level of sensitivity and specificity. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Unlike conventional amplification technologies such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which requires thermocycling, HDA works at a constant temperature, eliminating the need for complex and costly instrumentation. The technology offers a simple reaction workflow and a user-friendly assay design process. Two primers are used to flank the DNA fragment to be amplified, allowing simple and rapid development of new singleplex and/or multiplex assays for use in molecular diagnostics, pharmaceutical development, applied markets, or research.

HDA is compatible with multiple detection technologies including qualitative or quantitative fluorescent detection technologies, as well as with instrumentation designed for use with real-time PCR. The technology is compatible with Qiagen's range of next-generation Hybrid Capture detection platforms, which includes an ultra-high throughput instrument designed for use with assays including Qiagen's human papillomavirus (HPV) assay, Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Qiagen uses sample technologies to isolate and process DNA, RNA, and proteins from biologic samples such as blood or tissue. Assay technologies are used to make such isolated biomolecules visible.

BioHelix specializes in the development of next-generation diagnostic solutions and nucleic acid tests based upon their isothermal HDA platform for infectious diseases, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Herpes simplex
virus, as well as for genetic diseases.


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