Transgenomic has announced the commercial launch of its Multiplexed ICE COLD-PCRTM (MX-ICP) product line. The launch itself is scheduled for the first quarter of 2015. MX-ICP is an ultra-high sensitivity DNA amplification technology that allows the simultaneous detection of multiple mutations in multiple genes from either tumor or liquid samples, such as blood or urine, on all platforms.

Multiplexed ICE COLD-PCR delivers major advantages compared to current sequencing technologies used on their own. It delivers at least a 100-fold improvement in sensitivity, detecting previously unknown genetic alterations along with those that are already known. Its ultra-high sensitivity makes it feasible to conduct comprehensive genomic analysis using either tissue or liquid biopsies, by accurately analyzing cell-free tumor DNA circulating in the blood or other bodily fluids. MX-ICP is platform agnostic, it works on all the sequencing platforms found in labs,greatly enhancing the sensitivity of next-generation sequencing, Digital PCR, Sanger, and other platforms. It is easy to use, highly reliable and can be easily implemented, requires minimal disruption to current sequencing processes or procedures.

Mr Paul Kinnon, president and CEO, said, "Personalized cancer treatment is an idea whose time has come, as our rapidly increasing ability to understand the disease based on its distinctive genomic features is matched by advances in detection and monitoring technologies and innovative new therapies. We accordingly are pleased to announce that we will be launching our Multiplexed ICE COLD-PCR technology this quarter, since we believe that MX-ICP is the first technology that can make personalized medicine a practical reality. Its ultra-high sensitivity, ability to work in tandem with all current sequencing technologies, ease of use, and cost effectiveness have the potential to ensure that the benefits of personalized cancer therapy become widely available to cancer researchers and drug developers, as well as to patients and their healthcare providers."