HTG Introduces New ArrayPlate Testing Method; Gene Expression Technology Enables Researchers to Analyze Smaller Sample Sizes with Faster Results.

TUCSON, Ariz. -- HTG, Inc., a provider of novel array-based gene expression assay technology and services for the life sciences industry, today announced the availability of a new ArrayPlate to measure four genes in each well of a 384-well plate for high throughput screening and profiling. The ArrayPlate 384-4 enables researchers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries to rapidly and accurately quantify RNA expression levels in cells treated with potential new drugs with high sample throughput, 10,000 or more samples per hour, and whole assay CV's of less than 10%.

The new ArrayPlate 384-4 platform offering is based on HTG's self-customized quantitative Nuclease Protection Assay (qNPA(TM)) technology, which allows researchers to test any sample type, including fixed tissue, using small sample sizes while avoiding the need for extraction, reverse transcription or amplification. The technology provides the absolute sensitivity to measure any gene desired, including low abundant genes. Instead of studying one gene at a time, researchers are also able to select a set of genes for simultaneous evaluation, a critical step in identifying the most promising drug compounds to treat complex, multi-factorial diseases.

Researchers can further utilize the 384-4 multiplexing capabilities by exploiting the power of gene signatures to reduce the whole cell assay false positive rate significantly, to as little as 0.05 percent, permitting discovery of weakly active compounds that would otherwise be missed. The platform provides highly sensitive and quantitative test results, including QSAR-quality dose response data and EC(50)'s, enabling clients to profile and optimize leads, compress drug discovery and development program timelines, increase program success and reduce costs.

The ArrayPlate 384-4 consists of a user-customizable plate with four elements of anchor oligonucleotides printed at the bottom of each well of the plate which allows researchers to measure up to four genes of their choice per well. This provides researchers with 1536 data points per plate. Combined with the ability to fully automate qNPA using off-the-shelf automation hardware, the ArrayPlate 384-4 technology permits the acquisition of 40,000 or more discrete gene measurements per hour.

"HTG's ArrayPlate 384-4 technology enables high throughput screening at the level of gene expression, offering researchers a quick, easy and reliable method to economically and efficiently test more samples faster to address the issue the industry has faced with whole cell assay false positive rates," said Bruce Seligmann, CSO, HTG. "Combined with qNPA QSAR capabilities, complete gene expression-based drug discovery programs can now be pursued from high throughput screening through in vitro and in vivo lead optimization. We are committed to developing and manufacturing highly sensitive and reproducible testing methods to help researchers wade through the growing amount of information available in the quest for new drug therapies."

The ArrayPlate 384-4 is commercially available. For more information on the product, please call [phone] or visit www.htgenomics.com.

About HTG

HTG provides ArrayPlate qNPA technology and services for the life sciences industry, addressing current unmet needs and enabling a new era of drug discovery and diagnostics. The company's ArrayPlate technology platform enables the accurate, sensitive, reproducible and repeatable measurement of molecular signatures through the multiplexed measurement of RNA expression levels, DNA and protein levels and function. ArrayPlate qNPA data measure how drugs act and diseases are mediated at the level of whole cells, tissues, or organisms. This enables researchers to focus their resources by rapidly obtaining higher quality results than possible with other methods, in days rather than months, saving time and cost while addressing critical unmet needs. Privately held HTG is based in Tucson, Arizona. Investors in the company include Solstice Capital, Valley Ventures and Village Ventures. Additional information is available at www.htgenomics.com.