OpGen Announces Strategic Investment and Technology Advancement Agreement with In-Q-Tel
Strategic Partnership with In-Q-Tel Plays Key Role in Introducing Cutting-edge Optical MApping Technologies to the Intelligence Community
October 29, 2007
OpGen, Inc., the leader in microbial genome analysis today announced a strategic investment and development agreement with In-Q-Tel, the independent strategic investment firm that identifies innovative technology solutions to support the mission of the broader U.S. Intelligence Community. This agreement allows for development and enhancement of new optical mapping systems.
“OpGen’s microbial genome analysis technology has been used by commercial, academic, and governmental organizations worldwide, on a service basis, since the company’s inception,” said Colin Dykes, OpGen’s Chief Scientific Officer. “This strategic agreement with In-Q-Tel provides further validation of our technology and dovetails perfectly with OpGen’s move towards delivering stand-alone instruments and disposables for microbial analysis.”
“OpGen is an important addition to our strategic investment portfolio,” said Troy M. Pearsall, Executive Vice President of Technology Transfer at In-Q-Tel. “As part of our charter, In-Q-Tel evaluates innovative technology advances with specific applicability to the challenges facing the U.S. Intelligence Community. OpGen’s technology will significantly improve the user’s ability to analyze organisms. In-Q-Tel is pleased to be partnering with OpGen, and we are impressed with their significant developments in microbial genome analysis.”
OpGen delivers breakthrough capabilities to identify microorganisms using a unique method to analyze DNA extracted directly from the microbial cells. The system has been used by a wide range of organizations to study bacteria, fungi and other organisms important to human health.
The In-Q-Tel investment is linked to OpGen’s recent funding round led by CHL Medical Partners, Highland Capital Partners and Versant Ventures, with previous investor Mason Wells also participating.
About OpGen
OpGen is commercializing a novel single molecule DNA analysis technology, “Optical Mapping”, for rapid identification and analysis of microorganisms. The system can be used to obtain detailed genetic information with no requirement for prior sequence data, PCR, cloning, or probes. Applications of the new commercial systems include clinical microbial analysis, forensic microbiology and the development of novel molecular diagnostic products. For more information, please visit www.opgen.com or call 608-441-8100.