Madison, Wisconsin and San Diego, California
July 18,  2001

Third Wave Agbio and ValiGen today announced that ValiGen will use the Invader product platform to analyze genetic variations in several plant species.

Third Wave Agbio will develop and supply custom-designed Invader(R) assays to ValiGen for the analysis of genetic variations introduced by its proprietary technology, Genoplasty(TM).

"The Invader technology has the accuracy, sensitivity and reliability we need when seeking to detect genetic changes as small as a single nucleotide," said Dr. Keith Walker, ValiGen's President of Plant and Industrial Products. "The Invader products will help us further evaluate our ability to generate plants with value-added traits using Genoplasty(TM)."

Genoplasty(TM) induces the cellular DNA repair system to make site-specific DNA sequence changes, without integrating foreign DNA. By applying Genoplasty(TM) to select target genes, ValiGen develops novel plants for the agricultural and industrial products markets.

"We are delighted to enter into this relationship with ValiGen," said Glen Donald, Chief Executive Officer of Third Wave Agbio. "ValiGen is a pioneer in the field of generating site-specific genetic variations and has specialized needs in nucleic acid diagnostics. Our ability to make customized products was a critical factor in being able to meet their needs."

ValiGen

ValiGen is a privately held European-American biotechnology company deriving commercial value from its integrated suite of genomics and Genoplasty(TM) technologies and proprietary databases by producing novel human therapeutics and plants with desirable traits. Led by an industry-experienced management team and entrepreneurial board of directors, ValiGen has operating labs and offices in: Paris, France; Berlin, Germany; Newtown, PA and San Diego, CA.

Third Wave Agbio

Third Wave Agbio Inc., a privately held company based in Madison, Wis., develops and markets DNA and RNA analysis products for use in agricultural sector.

The Invader product platform offers several advantages over conventional genetic analysis technologies. It produces highly accurate results, is easy to use and eliminates the need for copying the genetic sample using PCR, saving the user time and money while significantly reducing the risks associated with sample contamination. 

Invader products, because they are scalable and automatable, are as ideally suited for large-scale as they are for small scale applications including genotyping, marker assisted selection, transgene detection and quantification, zygosity testing, screening for disease-related mutations and gene expression analysis.

Third Wave, the Third Wave logo, Invader(R) are trademarks licensed from Third Wave Technologies, Inc. Third Wave Agbio has an exclusive license to the Third Wave Technologies, Inc. Invader technology for plant and animal agriculture applications. Third Wave Technologies, Inc. owns a significant equity interest in Third Wave Agbio, Inc.

Company news release
N3662