MUKILTEO, Wash., Dec. 18, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- CombiMatrix Corporation (Nasdaq:CBMX) announced today that its subsidiary, CombiMatrix Molecular Diagnostics (CMDX), has completed the clinical validation of the first of its ATScan(tm) suite of BAC (Bacterial Artificial Chromosome) array CGH (Comparative Genomic Hybridization) based tests. ATScan is designed to detect known genomic copy-number variations (CNVs) associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and this test is now available to physicians and consumers.
While there is considerable debate as to all of the possible causes of ASD, numerous studies are reporting that structural changes, and in particular CNVs of specific chromosomal regions, can be involved as predisposition factors. CMDX has incorporated this latest genomic information onto a DNA MicroArray utilizing its BAC technology. This development underscores CMDX's unique partnership with thought leaders in genomics such as Dr. Steve Scherer of The Center for Applied Genomics (TCAG) and Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada who recently published confirmatory studies for a role of the SHANK3 gene on chromosome 22q as an ASD susceptibility factor (AJHG 2007; 81: 1289-1297).
"If children analyzed by the new CMDX array are found to carry specific CNVs, they would become candidates for careful monitoring and early intervention," stated Dr. Mansoor Mohammed, President and CEO of CMDX. "CMDX is committed to ensuring the latest data available that may assist in clinical categorization and diagnosis in ASD be represented on our microarrays. For example, relevant data presented at the recent American Society of Human Genetics meeting implicating a role for chromosome 16p11.2 is also already now covered by our ATscan array," concluded Dr. Mohammed.
ASD is one of the most frequently occurring development-related disorders in children (1 in 150 children born in the U.S. are diagnosed with ADS, as noted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control). The American Academy of Pediatrics has recently recommended that children should be evaluated for autism at least twice before the age of two, as early intervention can impact the severity of symptoms (see http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSN2952020920071029). Typically, children are evaluated and diagnosed through somewhat subjective behavioral analyses, and objective methods to determine predisposition do not exist. "While this test does not yet capture all of the genetic factors contributing to ASD, it does contain what we believe to be the most updated, accurate and clinically relevant information for any microarray product available today for this and other developmental disorders," stated Dr. Amit Kumar, President and CEO of CombiMatrix Corporation.
ABOUT COMBIMATRIX CORPORATION
CombiMatrix Corporation is a diversified biotechnology company that develops and sells proprietary technologies, products and services in the areas of drug development, genetic analysis, molecular diagnostics, nanotechnology research, defense and homeland security, as well as other potential markets where our products and services could be utilized. The technologies we have developed include methods to produce DNA arrays for use in identifying and determining the roles of genes, gene mutations and proteins. These technologies have a wide range of potential applications in the areas of genomics, proteomics, biosensors, drug discovery, drug development, diagnostics, combinatorial chemistry, material sciences and nanotechnology.
Additional information about CombiMatrix Corporation is available at www.combimatrix.com.
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