Population Genetics Assigns Asymmetric Adaptor Library Construction Patent To New England Biolabs

Population Genetics Technologies Ltd (PGT) and New England Biolabs, Inc. (NEB) announce that PGT has assigned exclusive rights to a patent (US 8,420,319) covering methods for asymmetric adaptor library construction to NEB. As part of next generation sequencing (NGS) library preparation, this technology enables increased efficiency at the adaptor ligation step, resulting in high yield libraries and minimized adaptor-dimer formation. In conjunction with NEB’s other innovations in NGS library preparation, this patent further strengthens the NEBNext® product portfolio. 

Commenting on the deal, Population Genetics’ Chief Operating Officer, Frank Massam said, “Given the incredible expansion of genome sequencing and nucleic acid-based assays, methods that simplify and improve nucleic acid manipulation and analysis are of high value. We are therefore delighted that some of the methods we have invented and developed can now be made available to a larger customer base via NEB’s global distribution network. This partnership fits well with our strategy of engaging with partners to fully realize the value of our technologies and capability.” Financial terms were not disclosed. 

NEB’s Executive Director of Global Business Development, Peter Nathan added, “We are pleased that Population Genetics recognizes NEB’s strong market position in NGS and are excited to offer a novel adaptor solution for NGS library preparation to our customers. The increased efficiencies resulting from use of this process further enhance the workflows for our NEBNext library construction kits.” 

NEBNext products are a series of highly pure and cost-effective reagents that facilitate DNA and RNA library preparation for downstream applications, such as next generation sequencing. The recently launched NEBNext Ultra™ kits, which address the increasing need for fast and robust performance, also allow the use of low nanogram amounts of input DNA or RNA.

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About Population Genetics Technologies Ltd

Population Genetics Technologies Ltd was founded in 2005 by Nobel Laureate Dr Sydney Brenner; the founder of Applied Biosystems and of Lynx Therapeutics, Dr Sam Eletr; and the founder of Molecular Tool and Red Abbey Ventures, Dr Philip Goelet. The company has developed proprietary technologies that transform the economic viability of performing large scale genetic population studies, and that allow the sensitive and high confidence detection of rare variants and mutations for use in research and in guiding clinical decision making.

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About New England Biolabs

Established in the mid 1970's, New England Biolabs, Inc. is the industry leader in the discovery and production of enzymes for molecular biology applications and now offers the largest selection of recombinant and native enzymes for genomic research. NEB continues to expand its product offerings into areas related to PCR, gene expression, library preparation for next generation sequencing, cellular analysis, epigenetics and RNA analysis.

Additionally, NEB is focused on strengthening alliances that enable new technologies to reach key market sectors. New England Biolabs is a privately held company, headquartered in Ipswich, MA, and has extensive worldwide distribution through a network of exclusive distributors, agents and seven subsidiaries located in Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore and the UK.

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