DiaCarta Inc. Launches QClamp™ Somatic Mutation Real-Time PCR Tests for KRAS, NRAS, EGFR, BRAF, PIK3CA and More Without DNA Extractions
DiaCarta is a new Translational Genomics and Molecular Diagnostics company located in the San Francisco Bay area and is pioneering novel molecular diagnostics technologies for detection of cancer biomarkers in human body fluids including saliva, blood and urine – so called ‘Liquid Biopsy’ in the field of Oncology, today announced it has launched its QClamp™ somatic mutation tests, highly sensitive and rapid tests for KRAS, NRAS, EGFR, BRAF, PIK3CA and more in 2 hours without DNA extraction.
QClamp™ is a revolutionary new way to screen for somatic mutations, which utilizes a sequence specific wild-type template xeno-nucleic acid “Clamp” (XNA) that suppresses PCR amplification of wild-type template DNA and allows selective PCR amplification of only mutant templates. This allows the detection of mutant DNA in the presence of a large excess of wild-type template from any type of sample including FFPE, needle biopsy, whole blood and urine. The tests take less than 2 hours from start to finish without DNA extraction using special Qzol direct PCR lysis buffer and can detect below 0.1% mutated DNA.
“Recent studies have demonstrated that DNA sequencing is one of the least sensitive methods for characterizing mutation with only 10-20% of mutated DNA detected,” said Dr. Michael Powell, CSO of DiaCarta. “It has become clear that most if not all tumors are polyclonal and heterogeneous. Consequently, tumor driver mutations may not be detectable using standard DNA sequencing methods. Our QClamp™ tests are super sensitive and rapid. You don’t need to invest hundreds of thousands of dollar for a fancy digital PCR or sequencing machine. Our tests can be run on all currently available real-time PCR machines and everything to perform the tests is included in the kits.”
“We are very excited to launch this new product line to meet the unmet market,” said Dr. Aiguo Zhang, founder and CEO of DiaCarta. “We have received overwhelming responses from the field and our tests are the best in the market to address the issues with somatic mutation testing in oncology personalized diagnostics. We are in the process of CE Mark applications and expect to receive them by end of this year.”
About DiaCarta Inc.
DiaCarta, based in Hayward, Calif., is developing and commercializing in vitro diagnostics for a wide range of diseases based on branched DNA (bDNA) Signal Amplification technology and QClamp™, proprietary technology platforms for gene quantification and somatic mutation tests. DiaCarta offers a suit of oncogene test and companion diagnostic development services including QuantiVirus® HPV E6/E7 mRNA for cervical cancer and QuantiVirus® HPV E6/E7 mRNA for head-neck cancer tests.
DiaCarta Receives Accreditation by the College of American Pathologists (CAP)
DiaCarta, Ltd. (“DiaCarta”), a novel molecular diagnostic test developer for cancer and infectious diseases, today announced that it has received accreditation by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) for its CLIA certified lab. This accreditation is awarded to facilities that meet the high standards of quality, accuracy, and consistency in laboratory services required by CAP and underscores DiaCarta’s leadership and commitment to excellence.
DiaCarta Announces Five Abstracts Accepted for Presentation at AACR Annual Meeting 2023
DiaCarta, Ltd. (“DiaCarta”), a precision molecular diagnostics company, today announced that it will present five data posters at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2023, which convenes in Orlando, Florida from April 14-19, 2023.
DiaCarta Receives U.S. FDA Emergency Use Authorization for its Monkeypox Test Kit
DiaCarta, Ltd. (“DiaCarta”), a precision molecular diagnostics company, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for its QuantiVirus™ MPXV test, which is a PCR test for the qualitative detection of DNA from monkeypox virus (MPXV) in lesion swabs collected from individuals suspected of monkeypox infection.
DiaCarta Announces Successful Completion of Oncuria® Validation Study with Nonagen Bioscience
DiaCarta, Ltd. (“DiaCarta”), a precision molecular diagnostics company, and Nonagen Bioscience Corporation (“Nonagen”), a cancer diagnostics company, today announced the successful completion of the validation study of Oncuria® multiplex bladder cancer immunoassay as a laboratory developed test (“LDT”). DiaCarta also announced that it has begun receiving patient urine samples for testing in its CLIA certified lab in Pleasanton, California.
DiaCarta to Become a Publicly Listed Company Through Merger with HH&L Acquisition Co.
DiaCarta, Ltd., a precision molecular diagnostics company and developer of novel oncology and infectious disease tests, and HH&L Acquisition Co. (NYSE: HHLA.U, HHLA, HHLA WS) (“HH&L”), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company (“SPAC”), today announced that they entered into a definitive business combination agreement (the “Business Combination Agreement”) that is expected to result in DiaCarta becoming a publicly listed company (the “Transaction” or “Business Combination”). The Transaction is expected to provide DiaCarta with access to the approximately $414 million cash from HH&L’s IPO proceeds held in trust, assuming no redemptions by HH&L’s shareholders and prior to the payment of transaction expenses, and potential additional financing to catalyze DiaCarta’s growth. The Transaction implies a pre-money equity value of $460 million for DiaCarta on a fully diluted basis and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2023. The Transaction positions DiaCarta to capitalize on significant future growth within existing and new markets.