Transaction Strengthens the Molecular Research
and Diagnostics Business by Providing Human Genome Analysis
Solutions
TOKYO and
PROVIDENCE, R.I.,
Aug. 1,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hitachi High-Tech
Corporation (Hitachi High-Tech) and Nabsys 2.0 LLC (Nabsys)
announced today that Hitachi High-Tech has acquired a majority
interest in Nabsys, a developer and manufacturer of instrumentation
and consumables for the analysis of genomic structural variation.
This transaction will make Nabsys a consolidated subsidiary of
Hitachi High-Tech Group.
Hitachi High-Tech first invested in and formed an
alliance with Nabsys in 2019 to fully realize the promise of
genomics and improve human health through a scalable platform
capable of interrogating structural variants (SVs). Through the
support of Hitachi High-Tech, Nabsys has entered into a
commercialization phase with the "OhmX Analyzer™"; an electronic
genome mapping platform for high-resolution SV analysis. By making
Nabsys a consolidated subsidiary, Hitachi High-Tech group aims to
accelerate the adoption of OhmX and envisions the technology will
substantively evolve to address critical diagnostic, prognostic,
and therapeutic research gaps while promising to strengthen its
molecular diagnostics business as part of its mission to create a
society without fear of cancer and rare disease.
Background
SVs are the dominant form of
genomic variation and are implicated in a wide array of disease
states. Electronic genome mapping provides information that
traditional cytogenetics and short-read sequencing do not fully
cover and thus potentially improves the identification of SVs
implicated in rare diseases. Further, identifying SVs might propel
the identification of some oncogenic drivers, which are critical
mutations promoting cancer initiation and progression.
Hitachi High-Tech and Nabsys have collaborated on
SV analysis since 2019, with Nabsys focused on instrumentation and
consumables and Hitachi High-Tech developing a cloud-based analytic
suite called Human Chromosome Explorer (HCE). This has culminated
in the OhmX system. OhmX uses a high signal-to-noise electronic
detection methodology in which solid-state nanochannels measure the
shapes of long DNA molecules traveling at high speeds.
OhmX's use of electronic detection keeps the
instrument footprint small (about the size of a desktop computer)
and the cost of SV analysis low. When combined with HCE, the system
captures and visualizes SVs at small enough length scales to be
complimentary to short-read sequencing, with reads long enough to
capture large structural rearrangements.
Future Developments
In addition to
strengthening Nabsys' development and production, Hitachi High-Tech
will combine the platform with its data analysis technology to
scale and expand electronic genome mapping globally.
Hitachi High-Tech's healthcare business states
its purpose as "Innovating Healthcare, Embracing the Future", and
by integrating diagnosis, therapy and the digital, we are working
to create healthcare innovations that support optimization of
healthcare across the board, including high-quality, highly
functional in-vitro diagnosis and minimally invasive radiation
therapy. We will continue to contribute to improving quality of
life for people around the world by supporting the provision of
personalized medical care for each and every patient.
Messages from Management
Yoshimitsu Takagi, Vice President and Executive
Officer, and General Manager, Healthcare Business Group
Hitachi High-Tech is currently working to strengthen its molecular
diagnostics business, which is centered around genetic testing. By
combining Nabsys' genome mapping technology with Hitachi
High-Tech's HCE, we aim to build unique solutions that contribute
to the research of cancer and undiagnosed diseases, and aid in the
development of diagnostic methods.
Furthermore, by making Nabsys a consolidated subsidiary, Hitachi
High-Tech Group will be able to make maximum use of the human
resources, knowledge, and technology of both companies, and will
expand its genome mapping-related business globally.
Nabsys CEO, Barrett
Bready
Hitachi High-Tech has had a long and successful history in
genomics. Their vision of ameliorating disease and suffering
through technology aligns closely with Nabsys' mission.
We're thrilled that the electronic genome mapping platform that the
Nabsys team has developed will be able to contribute to achieving
that vision.
About Hitachi High-Tech
Hitachi
High-Tech, headquartered in Tokyo,
Japan, is engaged in activities in a broad range of fields,
including manufacture and sales of clinical analyzers,
biotechnology products, radiation therapy systems, semiconductor
manufacturing equipment, analytical instruments, and analysis
equipment. Also, we provide high value-added solutions in
industrial fields such as mobility, connected, environment and
energy, etc. Through business based on our core Observation,
Measurement and Analysis technologies, we will contribute to the
realization of a sustainable society by solving social issues.
The company's consolidated revenues for FY2023
were approx. JPY 670.4 billion. For
further information, visit
https://www.hitachi-hightech.com/global/en/
About Nabsys
Based in Providence, Rhode Island, Nabsys employs a
multidisciplinary team of specialists, including scientists,
engineers and other professionals devoted to advancing genomic
analysis. The Nabsys mission is to advance the understanding of
disease, increase diagnostic yield, and improve patient outcomes by
enabling routine, accurate, cost-effective analysis of genomic
structural variation.
For more information, visit the Nabsys website at
https://nabsys.com/.
Media Contact
Elise
Benson
Benson@Nabsys.com
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SOURCE Nabsys