PositiveID Corporation, a developer of biological detection and diagnostics solutions, today announced that it has successfully completed its first round of testing of its phase II Firefly Dx prototype handheld real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) pathogen detection system, and has delivered positive PCR results within 20 minutes. The Company's Firefly Dx testing was performed at standard laboratory volumes and achieved equivalent results to laboratory-based PCR instruments, which can take hours to perform the same PCR process.
The Company previously announced it completed its Firefly Dx PCR design, and it has now completed successful testing on its Phase II breadboard Firefly Dx system, with consistent and repeated detection of each positive challenge. With the completion of the PCR chip design with confirmatory results, the Company is now in the next phase of testing to encompass optimization and a broader spectrum of tests.
"Having recently completed our Firefly Dx breadboard prototype, these initial positive results of our new PCR chip, which could fundamentally change the real-time PCR industry, are very encouraging," stated William J. Caragol, Chairman and CEO of PositiveID. "These test results also validate our approach covered in the PCR chip patent application we just filed. Our Firefly Dx testing and development continues to progress on schedule."
Firefly Dx is designed to provide real-time, accurate diagnostic results in a handheld device, thereby leading to treatment scenarios at the point of need that are not possible with existing systems, which require lab-based equipment and can take hours or even days to provide results. Firefly Dx is targeting the global PCR market, which is projected to reach approximately $27.4 billion this year, according to a Research and Markets' report Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) - Products/Tools - A Global Market Watch, 2009-2015. Firefly's applications include point of need monitoring of pathogenic outbreaks (such as Ebola, influenza, etc.), agricultural screening in both domestic sectors and developing countries, and for the detection of biological agents associated with weapons of mass destruction.
The Company previously announced it completed its Firefly Dx PCR design, and it has now completed successful testing on its Phase II breadboard Firefly Dx system, with consistent and repeated detection of each positive challenge. With the completion of the PCR chip design with confirmatory results, the Company is now in the next phase of testing to encompass optimization and a broader spectrum of tests.
"Having recently completed our Firefly Dx breadboard prototype, these initial positive results of our new PCR chip, which could fundamentally change the real-time PCR industry, are very encouraging," stated William J. Caragol, Chairman and CEO of PositiveID. "These test results also validate our approach covered in the PCR chip patent application we just filed. Our Firefly Dx testing and development continues to progress on schedule."
Firefly Dx is designed to provide real-time, accurate diagnostic results in a handheld device, thereby leading to treatment scenarios at the point of need that are not possible with existing systems, which require lab-based equipment and can take hours or even days to provide results. Firefly Dx is targeting the global PCR market, which is projected to reach approximately $27.4 billion this year, according to a Research and Markets' report Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) - Products/Tools - A Global Market Watch, 2009-2015. Firefly's applications include point of need monitoring of pathogenic outbreaks (such as Ebola, influenza, etc.), agricultural screening in both domestic sectors and developing countries, and for the detection of biological agents associated with weapons of mass destruction.