SimplSeq Files Fourth Patent Application

Murrieta Genomics has announced that SimplSeq, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, has filed its fourth patent application to protect a new sample preparation technology that is designed to simplify the process for extracting, isolating, purifying and replicating DNA and RNA from biologic samples.

“Our internal validation testing has delivered some very exciting data, and we wanted to share that with collaborators,” stated John Powers, CEO of SimplSeq. “When we delivered these results to our legal team, they immediately informed us that we needed to file an additional application with the Patent and Trademark Office.”

SimplSeq has developed a completely new approach to preparing nucleic acids for analysis. “I have been at the bench for decades, running core facilities and working in academia, commercial and startup labs,” explained Brandon Young, CTO of SimplSeq and inventor of the new processes. “We have seen sequencing technology evolve significantly in the last twenty years, but sample prep has only marginally improved. A new approach is needed instead of incremental improvements to traditional methods.”

Young went on to explain that the company has developed a new way to bind DNA and RNA to solid structures that specifically captures the 3′ end of these strands as opposed to current standard methods based on nonspecific charge-charge interactions. “We can eliminate many of the current steps in the process with our new method, while obtaining equivalent or better yields without length bias. By cutting these steps we can reduce opportunities for error, lowering labor costs and reducing the need for highly trained specialist technicians,” he said.

One important result of this new method is the ability for laboratories to preserve the original DNA sample. This allows scientists to run several serial assays of the same input material instead of using it all up in the first assay. This will have a significant impact in areas where samples are scarce or difficult to obtain, such as forensics, biopsies and noninvasive screening.

The company plans to complete internal validation and testing soon and is in discussions with academic, research and commercial laboratories about extending the validation studies to external lab partners.

“Once we have external validation, we plan to offer our first product based on this technology in the first half of 2021,” concluded Powers. “There are a number of applications for our process, and we have a roadmap designed to get to the market quickly. We anticipate a high level of demand for our products, as they will allow labs to save money, time and derive more information from their samples.”

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This post was written by mgjay