Active Motif and Swift Biosciences partner to develop advancements in epigenetics

Goal to deliver technical advancements in ChIP-Seq workflow


September 28, 2016 – Epigenetics-based research tools company Active Motif, Inc. has entered into a technology development partnership with Swift Biosciences, a leader in sample and library preparation for next generation sequencing (NGS). The two companies have partnered to deliver technical advancements in ChIP-Seq workflow, a foundation application for epigenetics. The samples used in the ChIP-Seq workflow are often challenging samples due to their limited amounts. Swift Biosciences has developed novel technologies that enable the use of very low input samples and when combined with Active Motif’s industry leading ChIP based technologies, the combination provides better sensitivity in detecting key protein-DNA interactions. The resulting combination of technologies is allowing researchers to use 10x to 100x less sample, using as little as 10pg of ChIP enriched samples.

This enables powerful techniques such as ChIP-Seq to now be used by disease researchers working with rare cell populations and extremely limited sample materials.

"This is an important strategic partnership" said Joseph Fernandez, CEO at Active Motif. "ChIP-Seq is a technically challenging application where a major hurdle for researchers is generating good quality libraries from small amounts of starting material and the Swift Biosciences’ technologies overcome many of these hurdles. By implementing these technologies into our R&D efforts, we have generated many impactful advancements in our low cell ChIP programs and are now close to launching new, low cell ChIP-kits that will outperform anything else on the market."

"We are honored to partner with one of the key thought leaders and major players in the ChIP-Seq market," stated Timothy Harkins, Ph.D., President and CEO of Swift Biosciences. "Epigenetics is one of the more challenging genetic fields and had seemed to hit a plateau due to the limitations of sample inputs. One key technical advancement we are introducing with Active Motif is our molecular indices that enable the unique barcoding of every DNA molecule within a sample, providing better signal detection while utilizing more of their data. By working together to combine the best of our respective technologies, we are providing real advancements that the broader community will be able to take advantage of as they continue to expand our knowledge of the way proteins and DNA interact."

 

About Swift Biosciences, Inc.

Swift Biosciences, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is developing innovative and enabling technologies for genomics research. The company’s Accel-NGS® product portfolio brings unique capabilities to improve the efficiency and quality of NGS sample preparation across multiple applications. The Accel-NGS library preparation kits offer high performance sequence coverage metrics, even from challenging samples, and can generate PCR-free libraries for whole genome sequencing from as little as 10 ng of genomic input. The Accel-Amplicon products encompass multiple panels that include a 56G Oncology Panel, a Sample_ID panel, and custom panels across multiple genomes. Swift Biosciences also offers kits for bisulfite-converted DNA for methylation sequencing and a product for single-stranded DNA, ideal for viral and phage metagenomes. For more information, visit swiftbiosci.com and follow Swift Biosciences on Twitter (@SwiftBioSci).

About Active Motif:

Active Motif is the industry leader in developing and delivering innovative tools to enable epigenetics and gene regulation research for the life science, clinical and pharmaceutical and drug discovery communities. The company has a world leading portfolio of assays, genome wide services and validated antibodies for use in ChIP-Seq. Active Motif operates globally through its corporate headquarters in Carlsbad, California, regional headquarters in Belgium, Japan and China, as well as a worldwide network of sales and support offices. Active Motif applies a multi-disciplinary approach to create new and modify existing technologies to meet the current and future needs of life science researchers. To learn more please visit www.activemotif.com.