Linkage Biosciences Delivers First Real-Time HLA Testing Kit in Anticipation of New UNOS Requirements

At the 25th European Immunogenetics and Histocompatibility Conference, Linkage Biosciences, Inc., has announced the launch of several new research use only (RUO) products in the LinkSēq™ HLA product line. Working closely with the HLA and life sciences communities, Linkage Biosciences has been aggressively expanding its product development.

For example, as of June 1, 2011, new policies are being implemented by United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) and The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) for organ sharing. These policies require that deceased donor HLA typing be performed by DNA methods and identify five HLA antigens (-A, -B, -Cw, -DR and -DQ) before laboratories make any kidney, kidney-pancreas, pancreas, or pancreas islet offers.

LinkSēq is the first HLA testing product to apply real-time PCR technology to test for each of these genes. It is the only test to combine DNA amplification and analysis in one step. These design features are intended to make LinkSēq faster and simpler than traditional HLA diagnostics.

Zachary Antovich, President and CEO of Linkage Biosciences, presented data at the conference showing the test can be run in 10 minutes of hands-on time and 90 minutes of total test time. Current methods of HLA typing require approximately two hours or more of hands-on time and three hours or more of total test time.

"Linkage is making steady progress, and providing this expanded set of HLA genes is an important step in our development," said Mr. Antovich. "Combined with our programs in companion diagnostics and genetic diseases such as Celiac Disease testing, we are building a broad offering of tests that meet the requirements of our customers."