Dante Labs Launching COVID-19 Testing in Europe Utilizing Fluidigm Pathogen
Detection Kit on Biomark HD Platform
Global Pioneer in Direct-to-Consumer Genomic Testing Chooses Fluidigm
Saliva-Based Solution
Fluidigm Powered Testing Service to be Rolled Out in Seven European Countries
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Nov. 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fluidigm
Corporation (Nasdaq:FLDM), an innovative biotechnology tools provider with a
vision to improve life through comprehensive health insight, today announced
that Dante Labs, a global pioneer in direct-to-consumer genomic testing, will
be offering saliva-based COVID-19 testing services in local communities across
Europe utilizing a Fluidigm^® assay and reagents designed to be run on the
Fluidigm Biomark™ HD system.
“In our whole genome sequencing business, we discovered that noninvasive
saliva sample collection was very powerful in providing a positive user
experience for people worldwide, maximizing access to advanced diagnostics and
testing technologies,” said Andrea Riposati, CEO of Dante Labs. “Because we
believe advanced saliva-based tests will be a crucial weapon against COVID-19,
we plan to utilize a Fluidigm saliva-based assay and microfluidics technology
for all of our saliva-based COVID-19 testing in Europe.
“Exceptional reliability, high performance and the capacity of the Biomark HD
system to deliver at scale were all factors in choosing Fluidigm. We are
initially using the Fluidigm system to test our own employees, followed by
rollout of saliva-based COVID-19 testing services in seven European countries,
including the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain and France. By the end of November,
we expect to be processing at least 30,000 saliva-based COVID-19 tests per
week in Europe.”
Saliva-based COVID-19 testing utilizing the high-throughput Biomark HD system
features an integrated testing platform and a reliable supply chain that
laboratories can combine with commonly available automation platforms.
“With some nations in Europe seeing new records in daily COVID-19 cases, we
are honored to have been chosen by Dante Labs to increase critically needed
saliva-based COVID-19 testing capacity,” said Chris Linthwaite, Fluidigm
President and CEO. “In addition to growing adoption of our technology for
COVID-19 testing for large public health, governmental and academic customers
in the United States, customers in other regions of the globe are embracing
Fluidigm microfluidics for high-throughput screening, which is particularly
important in countries where infection rates are growing rapidly.”
About Fluidigm
Fluidigm (Nasdaq:FLDM) focuses on the most pressing needs in translational and
clinical research, including cancer, immunology, and immunotherapy. Using
proprietary CyTOF^® and microfluidics technologies, we develop, manufacture,
and market multi-omic solutions to drive meaningful insights in health and
disease, identify biomarkers to inform decisions, and accelerate the
development of more effective therapies. Our customers are leading academic,
government, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, plant and animal research, and
clinical laboratories worldwide. Together with them, we strive to increase the
quality of life for all. For more information, visit fluidigm.com.
Fluidigm, the Fluidigm logo, Biomark, and CyTOF are trademarks and/or
registered trademarks of Fluidigm Corporation in the United States and/or
other countries. All other trademarks are the sole property of their
respective owners. Fluidigm products are provided for Research Use Only. Not
for use in diagnostic procedures.
Fluidigm’s ongoing collaboration with the Defense Advanced Research Projects
Agency (DARPA) and its Epigenetic CHaracterization and Observation (ECHO)
program includes financial support for development of innovative programs
based on our microfluidics technology.
About Dante Labs
Dante Labs’ mission is to make the most advanced genomic technologies
accessible to everyone. To date, it has customers in more than 95 countries
who have personally experienced the power of the whole genome. Dante Labs is
also a global provider of COVID-19 testing solutions for governments,
businesses and individuals to help people get back safely to normal life. To
learn more or to purchase a Dante Labs whole genome sequencing or COVID-19
test, visit www.dantelabs.com and follow @DanteLabs.
Forward-Looking Statements for Fluidigm
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, among others,
statements regarding the anticipated benefits of a commercial program to
facilitate distribution of Fluidigm’s COVID-19 tests. Forward-looking
statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from currently anticipated results,
including but not limited to risks relating to the potential adverse effects
of the coronavirus pandemic on our business and operating results during 2020;
uncertainties in contractual relationships; our ability and/or the ability of
the research institutions utilizing our products and technology to obtain and
maintain Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA and any other requisite
approvals to use our products and technology for diagnostic testing purposes;
potential changes in priorities or requirements for Emergency Use
Authorizations; potential limitations of any Emergency Use Authorization;
potential changes in the priorities of government agencies; challenges
inherent in developing, manufacturing, launching, marketing, and selling new
products; risks relating to company research and development and distribution
plans and capabilities; interruptions or delays in the supply of components or
materials for, or manufacturing of, Fluidigm products; potential product
performance and quality issues; intellectual property risks; and competition.
Information on these and additional risks and uncertainties and other
information affecting Fluidigm business and operating results is contained in
Fluidigm’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019,
and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date
hereof. Fluidigm disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking
statements except as may be required by law.
Available Information
We use our website (fluidigm.com), investor site (investors.fluidigm.com),
corporate Twitter account (@fluidigm), Facebook page (facebook.com/Fluidigm),
and LinkedIn page (linkedin.com/company/fluidigm-corporation) as channels of
distribution of information about our products, our planned financial and
other announcements, our attendance at upcoming investor and industry
conferences, and other matters. Such information may be deemed material
information, and we may use these channels to comply with our disclosure
obligations under Regulation FD. Therefore, investors should monitor our
website and our social media accounts in addition to following our press
releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, and webcasts.
Fluidigm
Media:
Mark Spearman
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
650 243 6621
mark.spearman@fluidigm.com
Investors:
Agnes Lee
Vice President, Investor Relations
650 416 7423
Original Source: Dante Labs Launching COVID-19 Testing in Europe Utilizing Fluidigm Pathogen Detection Kit on Biomark HD Platform
