22 July 2014 - 22 July 2014 - US lab instrumentation and consumables maker Pressure BioSciences Inc (OTCMKTS:PBIO) will develop a front-end, sample preparation method for the neonatal molecular diagnostics and newborn confirmatory testing process of domestic biotech group Parabase Genomics, the pair said Tuesday.

The sample preparation method will be based on Pressure BioSciences' patented Pressure Cycling Technology (PCT) platform.

Parabase Genomics chief scientific officer and founder, Dr. Andy Bhattacharjee, noted that the company utilises targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) to provide test panels for the detection of single-gene conditions in newborns. The firm aims to enhance the standard-of-care in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) by replacing currently used single-gene-disorder tests with its LifeTime NewbornDx sequencing service to concordantly assess 350 genes involved in genetic disorders in the newborn period, using a minimally invasive method, including processing of dried blood spot specimens that are currently obtained from every newborn.

The company's process will be optimised to deliver findings in 48 hours, versus 8-16 weeks usually required to create a clinical report. This upgrade in terms of time to diagnosis is expected to result in improved therapeutic options and patient outcomes, in addition to reduced economic burden because of less exploratory testing and shorter hospital stays, Dr. Bhattacharjee added.