New DNA Analysis Method Helps Determine Individual Risk of Breast Cancer; Quantum Leap in DNA Analysis.

Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers

American Society for Human Genetics 

Booth No. 308

PHILADELPHIA--(BW HealthWire)--Oct. 4, 2000

In a presentation at the American Society for Human Genetics (ASHG) annual meeting, Professor Teresa Wagner, head of the Research Group for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer at the University of Vienna, showed that DHPLC (denaturing high performance liquid chromatography) is a highly accurate, rapid and cost-effective method for genetic screening.

In a comparative study organized by the Breast Cancer Information Core and administered by the National Institutes of Health, Professor Wagner demonstrated that DHPLC is as accurate as the commonly acknowledged "gold standard," DNA sequencing, but is much faster and far less expensive.

"Young women with a family history of breast cancer benefit greatly from knowing their genetic predisposition. It is absolutely critical to have a highly accurate but fast and affordable method for testing," said Professor Teresa Wagner, University of Vienna. "If we know their risk we can determine who will benefit from prophylactic treatment. This is true for any genetically determined disease."

DHPLC, marketed by Transgenomic, Inc. as the WAVE(R) System, is a method developed jointly between the University of Innsbruck, Stanford University and Transgenomic. The method detects DNA containing mutations based on the highly specific way in which strands of the double helix join together. A DNA double helix containing a mutation has a very distinct signature when analyzed by DHPLC.

DHPLC offers doctors studying the relationship between genetics and disease a powerful, affordable analytical tool. In this familial breast cancer study, Professor Wagner has shown that the WAVE System meets the critical requirements for accuracy, speed, ease of use and cost effectiveness required in routine genetic analysis.

"I see women in the clinic every day whose mothers and sisters have died from breast cancer. They don't want to die. They want to take preventative measures," said Dr. Wagner. "My job is to help them understand their risk of developing breast cancer and to counsel them on their prevention possibilities. The WAVE System is an important tool in evaluating their genetic predisposition."

Inherited forms of breast cancer are among a myriad of genetic diseases for which understanding inherited risk may have profound impact on the quality of life and survivability for affected individuals. Among these diseases are muscular dystrophy, familial colon cancer, familial hypertension and cystic fibrosis. Research into the causes and treatment of these and other diseases like prostate cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease depends on analytical techniques like the WAVE System.

Transgenomic, Inc.

"The work of Professor Wagner and her colleagues represents the future of medical science," said Collin D'Silva, chief executive officer, Transgenomic.

Transgenomic, Inc. (San Jose, Calif. and Omaha, Neb.) is a provider of innovative research tools for the genomics industry, helping to accelerate and improve drug development and diagnostics. Transgenomic has major R&D facilities in San Jose, Calif. and the United Kingdom. Transgenomic's advances in biotechnology offer DNA fragment separation for mutation screening, functional genomics and genotyping for applications in basic research, diagnostics and forensics in laboratories worldwide. Transgenomic has an extensive network of service and applications support laboratories throughout the world.

Transgenomic made its initial public offering of 5,152,000 shares on July 18, 2000 and trades on the Nasdaq under the symbol TBIO. Its Web site is www.transgenomic.com.