HTG receives US patent for HTG EdgeSeq chemistry

TUCSON, AZ–(Jun 17, 2014) –HTG Molecular Diagnostics, a provider of instruments and reagents for translational research and molecular diagnostics, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued U.S. Patent No. 8,741,564 claiming a method for using quantitative nuclease protection technology in combination with next-generation-sequencing. HTG launched its first product utilizing this technology, the HTG EdgeSeq miRNA Whole Transcriptome Assay, on June 10, 2014. Additional patent applications directed to this method are pending in Europe, Japan, Canada, China, and Australia.

“We are very pleased to receive from the USPTO the patent covering the use of our HTG EdgeSeq chemistry,” commented TJ Johnson, HTG Molecular Chief Executive Officer. “We’ve coupled the high specificity of our extraction-free, nuclease protection chemistry with the broad dynamic range and exquisite sensitivity of next-generation-sequencing, which enables the digital quantitation of gene expression from very small, sometimes difficult sample types such as formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues and plasma. This patent also provides coverage for our pipeline of HTG EdgeSeq applications in development including the detection of gene fusions and rearrangements.”

About HTG Molecular Diagnostics:

Headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, HTG Molecular Diagnostics’ mission is to provide simple, cost effective solutions for accurate RNA testing. In 2013 the company commercialized its Edge instrument platform and a portfolio of mRNA and miRNA assays that leverage HTG’s proprietary nuclease protection chemistry. HTG Edge System capabilities have been expanded to fully automate sample and library preparation for targeted next-generation sequencing. Additional information is available atwww.htgmolecular.com.