WEST BRIDGEWATER, Mass., March 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boston Biomedica, Inc. (Nasdaq: BBII), a worldwide leader in infectious disease quality control products, today launched its novel Pressure Cycling Technology (PCT) Sample Preparation System, an automated and powerful alternative to the manual and often labor-intensive sample preparation methods used today for the release of nucleic acids and proteins from "hard-to-lyse" biological samples. The PCT Sample Preparation System, which consists of the Barocycler(TM) NEP2017 instrument and the Company's specially designed PULSE(TM) Tubes, was unveiled at a New Products Forum presentation at the PITTCON 2002 Meeting in New Orleans, and will be shown publicly at BBI's Booth #6633 from March 18th to the 21st.
"We are thrilled to unveil this breakthrough technology that represents a critical advancement in sample preparation," said Richard T. Schumacher, Founder, CEO and Chairman of Boston Biomedica. "The PCT Sample Preparation System eliminates the need for manual processing of samples, uses a closed system for greater safety and reduction of cross contamination, takes significantly less time than most current methods, and yields excellent quality of nucleic acids and proteins. Its speed and automation allow researchers to collect data consistently, accurately and efficiently."
When questioned about commercial availability following the launch, Kevin W. Quinlan, President and COO of BBI, said: "We expect to ship commercial grade units to our Beta Testing Sites during April and early May. Work Plans from these sites should be completed by the summer, thus allowing us to begin shipping instruments before the end of September. We currently plan to price the Barocycler NEP2017 at about $75,000 and the PULSE Tubes at about $5 each."
A Fully Contained System for Safety & Ease of Use
BBI's PCT Sample Preparation System consists of two components: the Barocycler NEP2017 pressure cycling instrument and the PULSE (Pressure Used to Lyse Samples and Extract) Tubes. The Barocycler NEP2017 is an automated instrument capable of processing up to 6 samples simultaneously. A chiller is attached externally, allowing for precise control of temperature during the pressure cycling procedure. The computer-controlled process adjusts pressure cycles to maintain excellent precision and accuracy. Data related to the number and length of cycles, pressure time and other key parameters are recorded in the BBI lab software program, which can be downloaded for storage and viewing.
Through the use of BBI's patent pending, single-use PULSE Tubes, biological samples can be lysed and the nucleic acids and proteins subsequently released. Since this process does not require the use of detergents or harsh chemicals, the processed sample can be used directly as a source of nucleic acids and proteins, or can be further purified for use in other downstream applications. Samples are placed in the PULSE Tubes prior to pressure treatment and do not need to be handled again until the extraction procedure is complete. As the entire extraction procedure takes place inside the closed PULSE Tube, the PCT Sample Preparation System offers greater safety than most current procedures, which often require multiple transfers of samples from one tube to another.
Samples prepared by PCT can also be used for analysis and purification of other biological molecules such as carbohydrates, lipids and various metabolites. The homogenized material can even be stored in the PULSE Tube for later analysis.
The launch of Boston Biomedica's PCT Sample Preparation System comes soon after the Company announced it had been awarded two Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for approximately $1,450,000 over two years (approximately $725,000 each year if all funds are awarded). Both SBIR Grants relate to the Company's R&D efforts in pressure cycling technology, one for nucleic acid and protein sample preparation and the other for pathogen inactivation.
Boston Biomedica, Inc. provides products and services for the detection and treatment of infectious diseases such as AIDS and Viral Hepatitis. BBI has three operating business units: (1) BBI Diagnostics, an ISO 9001 certified manufacturer and supplier of quality control and diagnostics reagents used to increase the accuracy of in vitro diagnostic tests, (2) BBI Biotech Research Laboratories, a research and development center providing R&D support for the other BBI business units, as well as contract research and repository services for the government, industry and other third parties, and (3) BBI Source Scientific, an ISO 9001 certified manufacturer of diagnostic instrumentation and medical devices. In addition, BBI is conducting research and development in Pressure Cycling Technology (PCT) through its subsidiary BBI BioSeq, with the goal of introducing new solutions for a number of important healthcare issues in addition to sample preparation, including the inactivation of pathogens in human plasma, therapeutics, and vaccines; protein purification; food safety; and genomics and proteomics. BBI also maintains a passive investment in Panacos Pharmaceuticals, a privately held antiviral drug and vaccine development company recently spun-off from BBI, whose goal is to introduce new solutions for the treatment of infectious diseases.
Statements contained in this news release that state the Company's or management's intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations or predictions of the future are "forward-looking" statements. It is important to note that the Company's actual results could differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those projected include the possibility that due to difficulties in the implementation of its technology, Boston Biomedica may not be successful in developing Pressure Cycling Technology (PCT) into commercially viable products and services, including those in the areas of sample preparation, inactivation, purification, immunodiagnostics, genomics, and proteomics, or such activities may take longer than currently expected. Pressure Cycling Technology may also not be adaptable to any other commercially viable applications, certain Pressure Cycling Technology applications may not fall within the claims of the Company's eight issued U.S. patents, and individuals and groups utilizing such PCT procedures may not be required to license such technology from BBI. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in the Company's SEC filings, including but not limited to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K (as amended) for the year ended December 31, 2000 and on Quarterly Reports Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, June 30, and September 30, 2001, and on Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 8, 2001. Copies of these documents may be obtained by contacting the Company or the SEC.
Visit us at our website http://www.bbii.com
Please email us at IR@bbii.com if you prefer to receive future announcements electronically
MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT - Click Here
http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X72626956
SOURCE Boston Biomedica, Inc.
Web site: http: //www.bbii.com
CONTACT: Investors, Richard T. Schumacher, CEO & Chairman, or Kevin W. Quinlan, President & COO, both of Boston Biomedica, +1-508-580-1900, or Media, Jennifer Viera, of Schneider & Associates, +1-617-536-3300 for Boston Biomedica
