Firefly Dx Prototype Detection of GMOs Is Consistent with Industry-Standard, Lab-Based Equipment
GMO testing is the fastest-growing segment of the total global food-safety testing market, which is projected to reach $19.7 billion by 2018
DELRAY BEACH, Fla. and TORONTO, Dec. 12, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PositiveID Corporation (“PositiveID” or “Company”) (OTCQB:PSID), a life sciences company focused on detection and diagnostics, announced today its Firefly Dx polymerase chain reaction (“PCR”) breadboard prototype pathogen detection system (“prototype system”) successfully detected genetically modified organisms (“GMOs”), specifically corn and soybeans, during a pilot study with seqID inc. The results derived by the Firefly Dx prototype system were consistent with the industry-standard, lab-based equipment used to detect the GMOs during the pilot study.
The pilot study is evaluating the use of Firefly Dx to detect genetically modified corn and soybeans at seaports where corn and soybeans are being shipped to countries that limit the percentage of GMOs in the shipment that may be imported. Currently, all such sampling and testing is conducted in a centralized laboratory and may take as long as two weeks, potentially delaying shipment. Firefly Dx would allow a laboratory grade result within 30 minutes at "dock side," thereby greatly speeding up the shipment time.
During the lab-based testing, the Firefly Dx prototype system detected GMOs in corn and soybeans at amounts below 1%. This level of detection could be useful for stopping shipments containing even very low quantities of GMOs to countries that prohibit them.
“We are very excited by these results, which demonstrate that the Firefly Dx prototype system was able to mirror the results of a much more expensive, lab-based system that is the standard in many facilities,” stated William J. Caragol, Chairman and CEO of PositiveID. “Food safety testing is a huge market, and by showing Firefly Dx’s ability during this pilot study to detect very small amounts of GMOs, we believe that there will be a variety of applications for this system to provide detection quickly and accurately, at the point of need, at a fraction of the cost of existing systems.”
“The result of this pilot is another step in achieving simple, on-site testing capabilities for GMO detection,” stated Charles Pick, President of seqID. “Grain handlers will soon be able to test immediately at loading and transfer sites, providing tremendous benefit and value.”
PositiveID is developing the Firefly Dx prototype system to be a handheld, fully automated, lab quality, real-time device able to detect pathogens at the point of need. A design advantage of Firefly Dx is that it does not require additional equipment or separate steps for sample preparation and purification, unlike current lab-based equipment, thus reducing time to results as well as cost per test. Firefly's applications include point-of-need, lab-quality, detection of pathogenic organisms; agricultural and food screening in both domestic sectors and developing countries; and detection of biological agents associated with weapons of mass destruction.
The global market for food-safety testing is projected to reach $19.7 billion by 2018, according to a report from Global Industry Analysts. GMO testing represents the fastest-growing segment in the global food-safety testing market.
About PositiveID Corporation
PositiveID Corporation is a life sciences tools and diagnostics company with an extensive patent portfolio. PositiveID develops biological detection and diagnostics systems, specializing in the development of microfluidic systems for the automated preparation of and performance of biological assays. PositiveID is also a leader in the mobile technology vehicle market, with a focus on the laboratory market and homeland security. For more information on PositiveID, please visit http://www.psidcorp.com, or connect with PositiveID on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.
About seqID inc
seqID inc specializes in agricultural genomic technologies. It works together with breeding companies and technology firms to provide a suite of genomic services, new technology and consultation to help the agricultural community meet the goal of feeding an ever-growing population. For more information on seqID, please visit www.seq-id.com, or connect with seqID on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.
Statements about PositiveID's future expectations, including the likelihood that that there will be a variety of applications for this system to provide detection quickly and accurately, at the point of need, at a fraction of the cost of existing systems; the likelihood that the result of this pilot is another step in achieving simple, on-site testing capabilities for GMO detection; the likelihood that grain handlers will soon be able to test immediately at loading and transfer sites, providing tremendous benefit and value; the likelihood that Firefly Dx reduces time to results as well as cost per test; the likelihood that Firefly's applications include point-of-need, lab-quality, detection of pathogenic organisms; agricultural and food screening in both domestic sectors and developing countries; and detection of biological agents associated with weapons of mass destruction; the likelihood that the global market for food-safety testing is projected to reach $19.7 billion by 2018; the likelihood that GMO testing represents the fastest-growing segment in the global food-safety testing market; constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, and PositiveID's actual results could differ materially from expected results. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the Company’s ability to target the professional healthcare market, as well as other risks. Additional information about these and other factors that could affect the Company's business is set forth in the Company's various filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those set forth in the Company's 10-K filed on April 12, 2016, and 10-Qs filed on November 18, 2016, August 12, 2016, and May 16, 2016, under the caption "Risk Factors." The Company undertakes no obligation to update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this statement or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.