HTG Inc, and Clinical Reference Laboratory Inc (CRL) announce that they signed a multi-year agreement for CRL to provide CLIA certified laboratory services for HTG’s pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic clients.

HTG’s quantitative nuclease protection assay (qNPA™) is an automated assay that allows researchers to quickly and accurately measure gene expression levels of mRNA and miRNA in cells, blood, saliva and tissues with minimal hands-on time. Using HTG’s reagent kits and equipment, CRL will evaluate samples or sample plates using HTG’s qNPA ArrayPlate technology in their CLIA laboratory.

“Collaborating with CRL was a natural fit for HTG. CRL has a strong, long-standing reputation for providing state-of-the-art CLIA testing services. In forging this relationship, HTG is now able to offer our pharmaceutical, biotech and academic customers a more seamless and comprehensive service offering,” said TJ Johnson, president and CEO, HTG. “HTG’s clients are focused on stewarding gene signatures from the research laboratory to the clinic and CRL brings a level of expertise in analysis of data that is optimal for the FDA submission step of the process.”

“CRL is pleased to be the CLIA-certified laboratory service provider for HTG’s qNPA technology,” said Tim Sotos, Chairman and CEO of CRL. “This collaboration leverages CRL’s core competency as a leading service provider and HTG’s robust technology.” 

CRL Executive Director of Molecular Diagnostics, Dr. Heather Newkirk said, “this unique technology from HTG enables a customized gene expression product which partners well with CRL’s expertise in offering quality molecular services.  We look forward to working with HTG to provide qNPA services to customers world-wide.”

HTG’s assay technology will be exhibited at CRL‘s Booth #626 at the Molecular Medicine Tri-Conference in San Francisco from February 25-27, 2009.

In addition, Bruce Seligmann, PhD, founder, board member and chief science officer, VP R&D, HTG will be presenting a talk, “New Generation Predictive Multiplexed Gene Expression Diagnostics: Case Studies in Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma” on Thursday, February 26 at 4:00 pm. 

HTG’s qNPA technology is used to carry out quantitative, multiplexed gene-based drug discovery programs, including target validation; HTS lead optimization, metabolism, toxicology, and clinical development. HTG’s platform is highly flexible and designed automation-friendly; it allows scientists to test any sample, including fixed tissues, without RNA extraction or target amplification. The technology is ideal for detecting small, yet important changes in gene expression levels, which other gene expression platforms cannot reliably detect.

CRL will offer the qNPA technology as a service to HTG clients in CRL’s CLIA-certified Molecular Diagnostics laboratory beginning spring 2009.