Phthisis Diagnostics Announces First International Distribution Agreement  

Simple and cost-efficient molecular products make their way into Latin America. Charlottesville, VA, May 17, 2012 - Phthisis Diagnostics, Inc. is proud to announce the signing of its first distribution agreement for international sales.  Bio Products, Inc. will distribute the company’s Simply Molecular® product line throughout Latin America.

Bio Products, Inc. is a privately held American company established in West Palm Beach, Florida, over two decades ago. The company has built a reputation for representing a large number of prestigious manufacturers and distributors to serve the research, medical, and scientific community throughout Latin America.

Phthisis Diagnostics President and Chief Science Officer Crystal Icenhour, PhD, commented, “We are delighted to welcome Bio Products as our first distributor for international sales. This is an important next step in the development of Phthisis Diagnostics’ sales.  We are currently engaged in negotiations and look forward to announcing additional international distribution agreements soon.”

Phthisis currently offers the E-Sphere® Simple NA Kit for easily and quickly extracting nucleic acids from various types of samples.  Future products will include molecular diagnostics for parasites and fungi, as well as molecular standards for improved laboratory quality control.

Bio Products, Inc. can tailor the ordering process to fit customer needs with standing orders, blanket orders, or reserved stock orders. For more information about Bio Products, Inc., visit www.bioproducts.net.

About Phthisis Diagnostics

Phthisis (TYE-sis) Diagnostics is a rapidly growing biotechnology company developing the Simply Molecular^® product line of innovative molecular products designed for speed, accuracy, and ease of use. The Simply Molecular^® catalog offers solutions for nucleic acid extraction, molecular diagnostics, and laboratory quality control.

Phthisis Diagnostics develops enzyme-based extraction kits for rapid sample preparation prior to PCR applications in laboratories. This optimized workflow minimizes procedural steps, sample transfers, and potential for error.

Phthisis Diagnostics is also developing molecular diagnostic assays using PCR technology to detect intestinal pathogens associated with diarrheal disease, including Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Microsporidia, and others. For more information, visit www.phthisisdiagnostics.com.

 About Molecular Diagnostics 

Molecular diagnostics is defined as the use of DNA, RNA, and proteins to test for specific states of health or disease.  Molecular diagnostic methods have been increasingly used over the past ten years to improve the sensitivity and speed of diagnosis in infectious diseases. Although their routine use has been primarily limited to the detection of pathogens that are difficult to culture in vitro, ‘real-time’ methods, commercial kits, quantification, and automation will increase their use. Molecular diagnostic methods are now widely used for epidemiological fingerprinting of isolates of public health importance and increasingly being used by clinical laboratories to diagnose genetic and infectious disease.

  Contact : 

      Dory Hulse, Media Relations

          434-964-1037 or 434-242-1333 (mobile)

        Dory1333@embarqmail.com

Phthisis Diagnostics Launches New Kit for Simple Nucleic Acid Extraction

E-Sphere® Simple NA Kit raises the bar for simple nucleic acid extraction.

(Charlottesville, VA, May 9, 2012)

Phthisis Diagnostics, a rapidly growing biotechnology company developing a range of innovative molecular diagnostics technologies, announces the introduction of the E-Sphere® Simple NA Kit. The E-Sphere® Simple NA Kit is the first total nucleic acid extraction product in Phthisis Diagnostics’ Simply Molecular® product line.

Laboratories have expressed their need for a faster, simpler method to purify DNA/RNA from difficult sample types prior to PCR amplification and analysis. This new kit answers the market need for speed among manual extraction methods and provides the added benefits of accuracy, improved cost effectiveness, reduced risk of sample contamination, and greater safety for lab technicians. The process requires only standard clinical laboratory equipment.

The novel E-Sphere® method allows manual DNA/RNA extraction from 12 samples in less than 30 minutes total time – from sample to PCR. This streamlined process includes just 4 steps and minimizes contamination risk with only 1 to 2 sample transfers. Samples can be quickly processed within a biological safety cabinet.

“This new kit provides significant time savings to clinical laboratories performing PCR analysis,” explains Crystal Icenhour, Ph.D., President and Chief Science Officer at Phthisis Diagnostics. “We have developed the fastest and easiest manual process yet for DNA/RNA extraction from difficult sample types. The speed of our entire process is comparable to the preparation time needed for many automated extraction systems. We have made the process very easy and reliable by removing the complexity seen with older methods. We are excited to introduce this product because it will lead to better and more efficient patient diagnosis.”

Advanced technology in the kit includes the high performance E-Sphere® Enzyme, a thermostable reagent that digests the sample at 75°C during a 15 minute incubation. A further innovation is the proprietary E-Sphere® Clean-up Column which purifies the DNA/RNA for downstream analysis.

Phthisis Diagnostics invites interested laboratories to inquire about special evaluation pricing on this innovative kit. Phthisis will be presenting this new kit at the 2012 APHL Annual Meeting (booth #210) in Seattle in May 2012.

The E-Sphere® Simple NA Kit is developed and manufactured in the USA to ISO 9001 & ISO 13485 standards in a QSR & cGMP compliant facility, and is designated as a general purpose reagent.

About Phthisis Diagnostics

Phthisis (TYE-sis) Diagnostics is a rapidly growing biotechnology company developing the Simply Molecular® product line, innovative molecular products designed for speed, accuracy, and ease of use. The Simply Molecular® catalog offers solutions for nucleic acid extraction, molecular diagnostics, and laboratory quality control.

Phthisis Diagnostics develops enzyme-based extraction kits for rapid sample preparation prior to PCR applications in laboratories. This optimized workflow minimizes procedural steps, sample transfers, and potential for error.

Phthisis Diagnostics is also developing molecular diagnostic assays using PCR technology to detect intestinal pathogens associated with diarrheal disease, including Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Microsporidia, and others. For more information, visit www.phthisisdiagnostics.com.

About Crystal Icenhour, PhD

In 2006, Crystal Icenhour, PhD, became President and Director of Research for Phthisis Diagnostics, located in Charlottesville, VA. She is also an adjunct assistant professor at Duke University Medical Center’s Division of Infectious Diseases in their Department of Medicine. She has demonstrated business leadership in addition to her scientific capabilities and has expressed a goal of “bridging the translational gap between these two worlds.”

She has authored seven patents, has authored and co-authored 13 research articles and theses, and has been a prolific speaker and presenter at scientific conferences. She has served on review panels for the National Science Foundation and Environmental Protection Agency Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants. Dr. Icenhour currently serves on the board of the Virginia Biotechnology Association and on the editorial board for the Journal of Microbiological Methods. She is a member of the Charlottesville Business Innovation Council, Sigma Xi, Medical Mycology Society of the Americas, National Postdoctoral Association, and the American Society for Microbiology. In March 2012, Dr. Icenhour received the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation’s Outstanding Postdoctoral Entrepreneur Award.

About Molecular Diagnostics

Molecular diagnostics is defined as the use of DNA, RNA, and proteins to test for specific states of health or disease. Molecular diagnostic methods have been increasingly used over the past ten years to improve the sensitivity and speed of diagnosis in infectious diseases. Although their routine use has been primarily limited to the detection of pathogens that are difficult to culture in vitro, ‘real-time’ methods, commercial kits, quantification, and automation will increase their use. Molecular diagnostic methods are now widely used for epidemiological fingerprinting of isolates of public health importance and increasingly being used by clinical laboratories to diagnose genetic and infectious disease.

Contact:

Dory Hulse, Media Relations

434-964-1037 or 434-242-1333 (mobile)

Dory1333@embarqmail.com

Phthisis Diagnostics Welcomes New Sales Director and Controller

Phthisis Diagnostics of Charlottesville, VA has recruited two new members to its management team.   Betty Polk joins the company as Business Development and Global Sales Director and Robert Owen as Controller.  According to company President and Chief Science Officer Crystal Icenhour, PhD, “Phthisis is excited to welcome Betty and Robert to its team!  Betty brings a wealth of clinical laboratory and diagnostic sales experience.  And Robert’s business and financial background strengthens our corporate structure.”

Betty Polk, M (ASCP), RM (NRCM) brings more than 40 years of experience in microbiology and biotechnology to her new position.  Well respected in the industry, she has supervised hospital labs, owned her own independent reference lab, and managed national sales for several companies. Her niche has become combining science with sales, a challenge she enjoys (“The joy is in the hunt”), especially when the company is young and developing and she has the opportunity to be creative.  She has now worked with four start-up companies, including one where she played a key role in developing sales revenues from zero to a million dollars per week over a seven-year period.

Ms. Polk’s experience has included positions with Gibco Diagnostics; Sigma Chemical Co., Cell Culture Division; TechLab, Inc.; Gen-Probe/Prodesse, Inc.; and bioMerieux.  She holds a B.A. in Microbiology from the University of South Florida and is a Registered Microbiologist with the American Society for Microbiology’s National Registry of Certified Microbiologists and a Technologist in Microbiology with the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

As the company’s new Controller, Robert Owen, CPA, looks forward to leveraging his expertise to impact its development:  “I love to feel that strong, direct connection between my work and the company’s growth.”  Mr. Owen, who has broad experience in public accounting, also has developed special expertise in biotechnology grant accounting.  He sees his abilities in budgeting and grant accounting as key skills that will play an important role in the company’s further development.

As a Controller, Mr. Owen followed the development of a new anti-depressant drug (Viibryd®) through various company ownerships to the drug’s FDA approval in 2011.  Another drug being developed as a vasodilator for use in cardiac stress testing (Stedivaze) was in Phase III clinical trials.  He has also been Controller at PGxHealth, LLC, a division of Clinical Data, Inc. (NASDAQ-CLDA) and at Adenosine Therapuetics, LLC until it was acquired by PGxHealth; Trovis Pharmaceuticals; and Dogwood Pharmaceuticals.  He is a Certified Public Accountant and member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.  He holds a B.S. degree from Concord University in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting.

About Phthisis Diagnostics

Phthisis (TYE-sis) Diagnostics is a rapidly growing biotechnology company developing the Simply Molecular® product catalog, a range of innovative molecular products designed for speed, accuracy, and ease of use.  The Simply Molecular® catalog offers solutions for nucleic acid extraction, molecular diagnostics, and laboratory quality control.

Phthisis Diagnostics develops enzyme-based extraction kits for rapid sample preparation prior to PCR applications in laboratories.  The first product in this line will drastically reduce the time required to extract nucleic acids from a variety of clinical, research, and environmental samples.  This optimized workflow minimizes procedural steps, sample transfers, and potential for error.

Phthisis Diagnostics is also developing molecular diagnostic assays using PCR technology to detect infectious diseases, including Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Microsporidia and others.

For more information, please visit www.phthisisdiagnostics.com.

Dr. Icenhour-Oustanding Postdoctoral Entrepreneur

CHARLOTTESVILLE BIOTECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEUR WINS NATIONAL AWARD

A prestigious national award has just been presented to Crystal R. Icenhour, PhD, President and Chief Science Officer of the biotechnology company Phthisis Diagnostics, based in Charlottesville.  She was selected as the 2012 Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Outstanding Postdoctoral Entrepreneur by the Foundation and the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) for her success as an entrepreneur combining science and business.

In presenting the award at the NPA’s annual meeting in San Francisco on March 16, Dominique Pahud, director of Advancing Innovation at the Kauffman Foundation, observed, “Postdoctoral scholars who take the entrepreneurial path bring enormous promise to society and the economy.  We hope these awards will encourage entrepreneurial excellence throughout the scientific community.”

Now in its third year, the award program is part of an effort by the Kauffman Foundation to cultivate the entrepreneurial potential of scientists and researchers nationwide.  Consideration for Dr. Icenhour’s prize is granted to entrepreneurs with companies at least three years old and who have completed postdoctoral training at some point in their careers.  The selection committee included Zoe Fonseca-Kelly, PhD, Senior Research Fellow, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, and chair of the 2011 NPA Board of Directors; Avi D. Spear, PhD, Director of Business Development, Genomics Institute of Novartis Research Foundation; and Noah Weisleder, PhD, co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer, TRIM-edicine, and the 2011 Outstanding Postdoctoral Entrepreneur.

Dr. Icenhour, who will receive a $10,000 honorarium with this award, noted: “I was drawn to the entrepreneurial world to more effectively take my science from the bench to the patient.  It is an honor to receive this award from the Kauffman Foundation and the National Postdoctoral Association.  In receiving this award, I hope to inspire postdocs to consider entrepreneurial work as a viable career option.  While not for the faint of heart, entrepreneurship drives innovation, economic success, and improved quality of life.”

About Crystal R. Icenhour and Phthisis Diagnostics

Crystal Icenhour has long demonstrated business leadership in addition to her scientific capabilities and expresses a goal of “bridging the translational gap between these two worlds.” She received her PhD in Pathobiology and Molecular Medicine from the University of Cincinnati Medical School of Graduate Studies in 2002.  She conducted postdoctoral research in the Thoracic Diseases Research Unit at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine from 2002-2005 and in the Department of Infectious Diseases at Duke University Medical Center from 2005-2006.  In 2006, she became President and Chief Science Officer for Phthisis Diagnostics and also serves as an adjunct assistant professor at Duke University Medical Center’s Division of Infectious Diseases in their Department of Medicine.

In addition to holding seven patents, Dr. Icenhour has authored and co-authored 14 research articles and been a prolific speaker and presenter at scientific conferences.  She has served on review panels for the National Science Foundation and Environmental Protection Agency Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants.  Currently, she serves on the board of the Virginia Biotechnology Association and on the editorial board for the Journal of Microbiological Methods.  She is a member of the Charlottesville Business Innovation Council, Sigma Xi, Medical Mycology Society of the Americas, National Postdoctoral Association, and the American Society for Microbiology.  Well known for her work in local and national postdoctoral associations, she served as president of the Mayo Research Fellows Association Executive Committee, as chair of the membership committee of the Duke University Postdoctoral Association, and as chair of the 2008 NPA Board of Directors.

Phthisis Diagnostics, founded in 2005, is a rapidly growing biotechnology company developing the Simply Molecular® product catalog, a range of innovative molecular diagnostic products designed for speed, accuracy and ease of use.  The product line offers solutions for DNA Extraction, Molecular Diagnostics, and Laboratory Quality Control.  These simple diagnostics will focus on diseases of public health importance and will facilitate clinical adoption of modern, accurate diagnostics.  Phthisis launched its first product, the E-Sphere® Stool DNA Extraction Kit, in May 2011 after just 18 months of development time.  To date, the company has received over $3.5 million in grant funding and angel and Series A investments.  For more information, visit www.phthisisdiagnostics.com.

About the Kauffman Foundation

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a private nonpartisan foundation that works to harness the power of entrepreneurship and innovation to grown economies and improve human welfare.  Through its research and other initiatives, the Kauffman Foundation aims to open young people’s eyes to the possibility of entrepreneurship, promote entrepreneurship education, raise awareness of entrepreneurship-friendly policies, and find alternative pathways for the commercialization of new knowledge and technologies.  In addition, the Foundation focuses on initiatives in the Kansas City region to advance students’ math and science skills and improve the educational achievement of urban students, including the Ewing Marion Kauffman School, a college preparatory charter school for middle and high school students.  Founded by late entrepreneur and philanthropist Ewing Marion Kauffman, the Foundation is based in Kansas City, MO and has approximately $2 billion in assets.  For  more information, visit www.kauffman.org.

About the National Postdoctoral Association

The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA), headquartered in Washington, DC, is a non-profit national organization of postdoctoral scientists, postdoctoral administrators, faculty, research universities, professional societies, and other supporters dedicated toward improving the postdoctoral experience.  The NPA is a member-driven organization, with the work largely done through standing committees.  Since its founding in 2003, the NPA has assumed a leadership role in addressing issues confronting the postdoctoral community that are national in scope, requiring action beyond the local level. Key alliances are being forged at all levels, and new standards and policies proposed by NPA are being considered and adopted by federal agencies and research institutions throughout the United States.  For more information, visit www.nationalpostdoc.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           

 CONTACT: Dory Hulse, Media Relations

434-964-1037 or 434-242-1333 (cell)

Dory1333@embarqmail.com

Phthisis Diagnostics made the front page of the The Daily Progress Charlottesville Business Journal on January 16, 2011.  Dr. Icenhour is pictured on the cover page showing components of the E-Sphere® DNA Extraction Kit followed with the caption”Boom in Biotech bucks: Area groups awarded total of 1.8 million in state grants.” Read More…

We are honored to receive these grants to continue moving forward with our work in molecular diagnostics and congratulations to all the other local grant recipients!

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                

Phthisis Diagnostics
Wins Over $500,000 in Virginia Grant Awards

Charlottesville-based Phthisis Diagnostics, Inc.  has been awarded over half a million dollars in a combination of grants from the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Phthisis will receive a Commercialization Program grant of $499,477 and a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Matching Funds award for $49,400 (total of $548,877) through the Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund (CRCF).

On Wednesday, Virginia’s Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) announced that the company was one of 22 Virginia organizations to receive a total of over $3.6 million in funding for a variety of projects to support innovation and business growth in the state.  The bid solicitation generated more than 90 eligible proposals for over $21 million in requested funding spanning a range of industries identified as priority areas for the Commonwealth.  Phthisis Diagnostics received one of only four grants awarded in the Commercialization Program.  Two other Charlottesville-based companies, Hemoshear, LLC and Retivue, LLC, also received Commercialization Program awards.  According to Crystal Icenhour, PhD, President and Chief Science Officer of Phthisis Diagnostics, “This funding will support development and launch of two molecular diagnostic kits that will fulfill a critical need for better diagnosis of intestinal parasites.  We are honored to receive this commercialization support from the Commonwealth of Virginia.”  Phthisis sought the grant   funding to facilitate its Commercialization of Cryptosporidium/Giardia Molecular Diagnostic.  Companies developing new technology often find it somewhat easier to secure research funding than to develop the resources that will enable them to bring their product to market.  Commercialization grants fill an important gap, especially for small, innovative firms.

Infectious disease is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of death worldwide.  Quickly identifying and targeting the disease with appropriate intervention can save lives and healthcare costs on a massive scale.  Molecular diagnostic technology is a quicker and more accurate method for identifying the pathogen responsible for a patient’s illness.

About Phthisis Diagnostics

Phthisis Diagnostics, founded in 2005, is a rapidly growing biotechnology company developing the Simply Molecular® product catalog, a range of innovative molecular diagnostic products designed for speed, accuracy, and ease of use.  The Simply Molecular® catalog offers solutions for DNA Extraction, Molecular Diagnostics, and Laboratory Quality Control.

The company launched its first product in May 2011 with the E-Sphere™ Stool DNA Extraction Kit.  Such an extraction process from a specimen must be done before any diagnostic process can proceed.  Laboratories have expressed their need for a faster, simpler method to purify genomic DNA from human stool samples prior to their full analysis to determine the exact disease causing a patient’s symptoms.  Faster speed not only allows the lab to achieve greater efficiency in processing samples, but it also plays an important role in getting effective treatment started as quickly as possible.  Faster, effective treatment of infections can be life saving, especially when the patient is an infant or elderly patient.

The E-Sphere™ Stool DNA Extraction Kit answers the market need for speed with the added benefits of accuracy, greater cost effectiveness, reduced risk of sample contamination, and improved safety for lab technicians.  The process requires only standard clinical laboratory equipment.

For more information about Phthisis Diagnostics, please visit
www.phthisisdiagnostics.com.

About Crystal Icenhour, PhD

In 2006, Crystal Icenhour, PhD, became President and Chief Science Officer for Phthisis Diagnostics, located in Charlottesville, VA.  She is also an adjunct assistant professor at Duke University Medical Center’s Division of Infectious Diseases in their
Department of Medicine.  She has demonstrated business leadership in addition to her scientific capabilities and has expressed a goal of “bridging the translational gap between these two worlds.”

Dr. Icenhour has authored seven patents, has authored and co-authored 14 research articles, and has been a prolific speaker and presenter at scientific conferences.  She has served on review panels for the National Science Foundation and Environmental Protection Agency Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants.  Dr. Icenhour currently serves on the board of the Virginia Biotechnology Association and on the editorial board for the Journal of Microbiological Methods.  She is a member of the Charlottesville Business Innovation Council, Sigma Xi, Medical Mycology Society of the Americas, National Postdoctoral Association, and the American Society for Microbiology.

About Molecular Diagnostics 

Innovations in molecular diagnostics have increased with the growth in understanding of the human genome and how DNA and RNA function at the molecular level. As understanding has increased, so has the demand for the development of molecular
diagnostic methods for improving sensitivity and speed. With increased demand by hospitals and clinical laboratories for molecular diagnostics to improve diagnosis, innovations have led to new products and kits that increase the reliability and speed. The ultimate goal is fast and accurate diagnosis to improve patient outcomes.

Hospitals and diagnostic laboratories are turning to molecular diagnostic methods to guarantee the highest levels of reliability and the greatest speed. Reliability is essential, because an inaccurate or missed diagnosis can be a matter of life and death. Another issue driving the need for new molecular diagnostics is the ability of microorganisms to evade and even inactivate potent antibiotics, causing health care providers to be faced with substantial infectious disease challenges. The varieties of technologies used in molecular diagnostics have transformed clinical laboratory medicine. Market analysts are predicting a 15% increase in the molecular diagnostic market over the next several years.

About the Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund (CRCF)

 The Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund (CRCF) advances science- and technology-based research, development, and commercialization to drive economic growth in Virginia and to encourage collaboration among its institutions of higher education and partnerships between these colleges and universities and business and industry.  The General Assembly appropriated $6 million to the Fund for FY2012, with $2 million designated for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) matching program.  Underlying the overall program is the strategy to enhance economic development through technology research and commercialization to successfully bring new ideas to the marketplace.

CONTACT:       Dory Hulse, Media Relations

434-964-1037 or (cell) 434-242-1333

Dory1333@embarqmail.com

Company exhibit at AMP 2011 to feature Evaluation Program

Phthisis Diagnostics will introduce its DNA extraction kit to the pathology market at the annual meeting and exhibition of the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP 2011) November 17‐19 in Grapevine, Texas (Dallas/Ft. Worth area). Phthisis Diagnostics, based in Charlottesville, VA, triggered strong market interest in previous clinical laboratory and microbiology exhibitions over the summer.

The company’s product, the E‐Sphere® Stool DNA Extraction Kit, is the first in a series of products under development for Phthisis Diagnostics’ Simply Molecular® catalogue and slated for release over the next two years.

This first kit is a uniquely efficient way to extract DNA from stool and other complex samples and a major improvement over competing processes. It takes only nine steps instead of 32; requires only two sample transfers, reducing potential contamination risks; and it processes 12 samples in 30 minutes instead of in two hours. Results are more accurate and there is less waste material for laboratory disposal. The increased workflow efficiency and productivity for laboratories means significant cost savings and greater capacity. The product’s ability to produce high quality DNA in a cost effective way makes it an ideal first step for a number of other companies’ diagnostic tests.

As part of the product launch, Phthisis Diagnostics’ President Crystal Icenhour, PhD, has announced a special E‐Sphere® Stool DNA Extraction Kit Evaluation Program. “We want to give potential customers an opportunity to gain first ‐hand experience with our extraction kit and our Simply Molecular® technology and we’re interested in their feedback. This Evaluation Program includes a quick survey we ask participants to complete and it provides a free Evaluation Kit (one kit with 10 extractions), a 50% discount on the retail price of Validation Kit (up to 3 kits with 50 extractions each), and a 30% discount on their first order of any quantity after completion of the Validation. Our technologists are also on hand to provide detailed and customized technical support, when needed.”

Infectious disease is the fourth most common cause of death in the United States and the leading cause worldwide. Recent news headlines have demonstrated the impact of water and food ‐borne illness – whether from contaminated vegetables in cosmopolitan cities or unclean rural water sources in developing or ravaged countries. Rapid and specific diagnosis not only provides better outcomes for patients, but also plays an important role in resolving epidemic crises. Phthisis Diagnostics products will play a key role in improving health care while also saving on health care costs.

Phthisis Diagnostics will also exhibit in a series of State Fall Meetings of the South Central Association for Clinical Microbiology (Flatwoods, West Virginia on September 30; Bardstown, Kentucky on October 14; Plainfield, Indiana on October 17; Howell, Michigan on October 27; and Columbus, Ohio on October 31).

Phthisis Diagnostics is an innovative biotechnology company developing rapid, simple, and reliable solutions for nucleic acid extraction, molecular diagnostics, and laboratory quality control – all aimed to produce quicker diagnostic results and more accurate treatment for better and more cost ‐effective patient care. For more information, visit www.phthisisdiagnostics.com.

CONTACT: Dory Hulse, Media Relations

434-964-1037 or 434-242-1333 (mobile)

Dory1333@embarqmail.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Dory Hulse, Media Relations
434-964-1037 or 434-242-1333 (mobile)
Dory1333@embarqmail.com

Company exhibit at CAP ’11 – THE Pathologists’ Meeting™ to feature Evaluation Program

Phthisis Diagnostics will introduce the company’s first product to the pathology market at the College of American Pathologists 2011 annual meeting: CAP ‘11 – THE Pathologists’ Meeting™ to be held September 11-14 in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Phthisis Diagnostics, based in Charlottesville, VA, triggered strong market interest in previous laboratory and microbiology exhibitions over the summer.

The company’s initial product, the E-Sphere® Stool DNA Extraction Kit, is the first in a planned series of products under development for the Phthisis Diagnostics’ Simply Molecular® catalogue and slated for release over the next two years.

This first kit is a uniquely efficient way to extract DNA from stool samples and a major improvement over competing processes. It takes only nine steps instead of 32; requires only two sample transfers, reducing potential contamination risks; and it processes 12 samples in 30 minutes instead of in two hours. Results are more accurate and there is less waste material for laboratory disposal. The increased workflow efficiency and productivity for laboratories means significant potential cost savings and greater capacity. The product’s ability to produce high quality DNA in a cost effective way makes it an ideal first step for a number of other companies’ diagnostic tests.

As part of the product launch, Phthisis President Crystal Icenhour, PhD, has announced a special E-Sphere® Stool DNA Extraction Kit Evaluation Program. “We want to give potential customers an opportunity to gain first-hand experience with our extraction kit and our Simply Molecular® technology and we’re interested in their feedback. This Evaluation Program includes a quick survey we ask participants to complete and it provides a free Evaluation Kit (one kit with 10 extractions), a 50% discount on the retail price of Validation Kit (up to 3 kits with 50 extractions each), and a 30% discount on their first order of any quantity after completion of the Validation. Our technologists are also on hand to provide technical support, when needed.”

Infectious disease is the fourth most common cause of death in the United States and the leading cause worldwide. Recent news headlines have demonstrated the impact of water and food-borne illness – whether from contaminated vegetables in cosmopolitan cities or unclean rural water sources in developing or ravaged countries. Rapid and specific diagnosis not only provides better outcomes for patients, but can also play an important role in resolving epidemic crises. Phthisis Diagnostics products have the potential to play a key role in improving health care while also saving on health care costs.

Phthisis will return to Grapevine, Texas, November 17-19 for the annual meeting and exhibition of the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP 2011) and will exhibit in a series of State Fall Meetings of the South Central Association for Clinical Microbiology (Flatwoods, West Virginia on September 30; Bardstown, Kentucky on October 14; Plainfield, Indiana on October 17; Howell, Michigan on October 27; and Columbus, Ohio on October 31).

Phthisis Diagnostics is an innovative biotechnology company developing rapid, simple and reliable solutions for nucleic acid extraction, molecular diagnostics, and laboratory quality control – all aimed to produce quicker diagnostic results and more accurate treatment for better and more cost-effective patient care. For more information, visit www.phthisisdiagnostics.com.

Radio interview with Crystal Icenhour, president and chief science officer at Phthisis Diagnostics by Kathy Stewart of WTOP News: (transcript below)

Much Faster & Easier DNA Extraction by Phthisis Diagnostics

The Virginia biotech company has developed a stool DNA extraction kit which is, “much faster and easier” says Crystal Icenhour, president and chief science officer for Phthisis Diagnostics. Why that’s important is because of the steady stream of stomach turning food recalls from bag spinach to ecoli-laced ground beef. Well, the proof is in the poop. The new extraction kit means your doctor can test your stool sample faster to find out what parasite, bacteria, or virus is making you sick and prescribe a faster fix.

Radio interview with Crystal Icenhour, president and chief science officer of Phthisis Diagnostics by Kathy Stewart of WTOP News: (transcript below)

Quicker Diagnosis With E-Sphere®

It’s no fun having intestinal issues, it’s even potentially deadly, but now a new tool can find out faster what’s at the root of your problem. “Which is very important because the treatment for those types of illnesses is very specific,” Crystal Icenhour, president of Phthisis Diagnostics in Charlottesville, VA says. The new extraction kit takes DNA from a stool sample. “So the physician would then know exactly what the patient has so they can give them the proper treatment right away.”  And the patient would get better faster.

Phthisis Diagnostics’ new product, the E-Sphere stool DNA extraction kit, allows laboratories to perform tests quicker and easier for certain molecules.

via DNA tool gives Phthisis Diagnostics success to build on.