Eureka Genomics and VeriPrime Beef Cooperative Partner

Eureka Genomics and VeriPrime Beef Cooperative have announced a deal to develop molecular assays to better manage cattle health risk.

The partners will leverage Eureka's next-generation genotyping technology to identify and develop the assays, and during the coming months, they will work with VeriPrime's member feedyards and their veterinarians to conduct initial clinical field trials aimed at identifying and validating the best practical methods to implement the new technology.

VeriPrime is a member-owned federation of cooperatives whose goal is to prevent E. coli 0157:H7, Salmonella, and non-0157:H7 STEC E. coli "by reducing levels of the pathogens before cattle enter the plant," it said on its website. Its members are beef producers who own their own land and cattle, and they produce more than $13 billion of beef every year.

Hercules, Calif.-based Eureka's next-generation genotyping technology combines high-throughput genetic sequencing and proprietary DNA processing and computing solutions. In August the US Department of Agriculture awarded the company $450,000 to commercialize its Sparse Genome Scan bovine genotyping assay. "The increased value of cattle and the cost of therapy make the development of cattle health risk management vital, and this agreement with Eureka Genomics allows us to move forward further and faster," VeriPrime CEO Scott Crain said in a statement.

Didier Perez, COO of Eureka Genomics, adds, "By entering this agreement with VeriPrime, Eureka Genomics has the unique opportunity to leverage our technology to help fuel further innovation in veterinary medicine." Financial and other terms of the deal were not disclosed.