June 19, 2007

As the result of an exclusive supply agreement, Panagene will manufacture PNA probes for incorporation into AdvanDx’s PNA FISH in vitro diagnostic products. 

AdvanDx Inc’s molecular-based tests provide rapid species identification of bacteria and yeast from positive blood cultures in less than three hours. The rapid results support clinicians in making faster and more relevant therapy decisions that can improve antibiotic management, reduce hospital mortality, and reduce costs associated with bloodstream infections.

A series of new products incorporating PNA probes manufactured by Panagene was introduced at the American Society of Microbiology 2007 meeting in Toronto.
 
PNA FISH is a qualitative nucleic acid hybridization assay intended for rapid identification of bacteria and yeast species from positive blood cultures. The 2.5 hours fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay uses fluorescence-labeled peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes that target the species-specific ribosomal RNA (rRNA) in bacteria and yeast. Results are visualized using fluorescence microscopy. Fluorescing cells indicate the target species, while no fluorescence indicates another species is present in the positive blood culture. 

For more information, visit the AdvanDx Web site.