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SAN
DIEGO, March 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nanogen,
Inc. (Nasdaq: NGEN), developer of advanced diagnostic
products, announced today that it was issued U.S.
Patent No. 6,867,048, "Multiplexed Active Biologic
Array" by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
The '048 patent relates to a method of addressing
one or more electrodes (or "test sites")
across multiple rows and columns of a microarray.
The patent also covers a method for storing the value
of the voltage associated with each electrode in a
local memory. This "smart chip" technology
is a key feature of Nanogen's NanoChip(R) 400 electronic
microarray, the company's second generation multi-purpose
system for developing and performing molecular diagnostic
tests.
Using local memory
circuits provides for precise control of the currents
delivered to individual electrodes on the array, while
minimizing the utilization of "off-chip"
circuitry and overall system costs. The electric potential
is controlled at each of the NanoChip's 400 test sites
to move and concentrate DNA or RNA, providing accuracy,
speed and flexibility for developing molecular diagnostic
tests. Storing critical voltage information allows
for precise control of the biological molecules during
analysis and increases data management efficiency
by tracking test site activation and array usage directly
on the electronic microarray cartridge.
"This addition
to our growing intellectual property portfolio illustrates
our ability to develop differentiated advanced diagnostic
products that add value to the company and to research
and clinical laboratory customers," said Howard
C. Birndorf, Nanogen chairman of the board and CEO.
This new patent expands
Nanogen's intellectual property portfolio to include
114 patents issued in the U.S.
About Nanogen, Inc.
Nanogen's advanced
diagnostics provide physicians and patients worldwide
with sophisticated information to predict, diagnose
and treat disease. Research and clinical reference
labs use the highly accurate and reliable NanoChip(R)
Molecular Biology Workstation, NanoChip(R) Electronic
Microarray and broad suite of analyte specific reagents
to develop tests to detect infectious diseases, drug
toxicity and mutations associated with cancer, cardiovascular
and genetic diseases. The next generation instrument
system, the NanoChip(R) 400, is expected to be available
in 2005. Nanogen's subsidiary SynX offers a line of
point-of-care diagnostic tests and is building expertise
in cardiac related health conditions. Nanogen's ten
years of pioneering research involving nanotechnology
may also have future applications in medical diagnostics,
biowarfare and other industries. For additional information
please visit Nanogen's website at www.nanogen.com.
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