Public healthDoD awards contract for pathogen detection
IntegenX wins a $15 million contract to develop a pathogen detection and identification platform; the company will use a technology developed under a previous DoD contract to purify DNA from pathogen targets contained in complex matrices and present the purified material to an IntegenX library construction module
Pleasanton, California-based IntegenX Inc. announced an award from the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency to develop a pathogen detection and identification platform.
The company said it will apply its patented MOVe technology to integrate the complete work flow of the ISS system, which will have a footprint of less than three cubic feet and will be operated with minimal user interaction by a non-specialist.
The company’s Universal Sample Preparation Module, created under a previous U.S. Department of Defense contract, will be used to purify DNA from pathogen targets contained in complex matrices and present the purified material to an IntegenX library construction module, followed by an amplification module and a next-generation sequencing module.
“The ISS System will provide (the Defense Department) and the country with a much-needed system to detect genetically engineered and emerging pathogens,” said Stevan Jovanovich, chief executive officer and president of IntegenX. “This will help protect our country, and others, against genetically engineered bioagents. There is no system to detect such threats today.”
IntegenX will be the prime contractor for a first phase of $2.8 million and a possible 22-month, $14.8 million contract.
