Based on its recent analysis of new products within the life sciences market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes iCubate with the 2012 North American Frost & Sullivan Award for Product Innovation. iCubate has developed the new version of a "gold standard" polymerase chain reaction (PCR) instrument. The instrument has the ability to perform simple extraction, amplification, and detection, all in a multiplexed, automated, and closed system. Given the potential for this platform to be used in both research and clinical laboratory settings in the future, iCubate is poised for significant growth as it gains awareness in the marketplace.

"Academic and diagnostic researchers like the ability to multiplex their PCR reactions, but as long as the assay remains open to the air, contamination will occur and skew results," said Frost & Sullivan senior industry analyst, Christi Bird. "The iCubate platform resolves this issue, integrating all PCR steps in an entirely closed instrument with very little hands-on time and virtually no chance for assay contamination."

The iCubate platform consists of the iC-Cassette™, iC-Processor™, iC-Reader™, and iC-Report™ Software. At the heart of the technology is the single-use iC-Cassette, which comes preloaded with all reagents needed for detection and amplification of a sample. The design of the iC-Cassette also ensures that high concentration amplicons contained in the assay do not contaminate a laboratory and, thus, other reactions. Each iC-Cassette contains an assay-specific barcode on the outside, which informs the iC-Reader and iC-Processor which assay protocol is required and how to report the results.

iC-Cassettes will be available preloaded with multiplex panels for viral and bacterial respiratory diseases, flu strains, Staph infections, STDs, bacteria involved in diarrhea, and many others. One to four iC-Cassettes can be placed in the iC-Processor at a time, where computer-controlled robotics perform automated nucleotide extraction, PCR amplification, hybridization, and washing procedures.

This system employs iCubate’s proprietary arm-PCR technology (Amplicon Rescued Multiplex PCR) and PPI (Polymerase Preference Index) algorithm for highly specific and sensitive multiplexed PCR. Initially launched for research use only, iCubate’s closed cassette will make the platform particularly useful for clinical settings with strict regulations.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has developed an innovative element in a product by leveraging leading-edge technologies. The award recognizes the value-added features/benefits of the product and the increased ROI it offers customers, which increases customer acquisition and overall market penetration potential.

Source: Frost & Sullivan