GenturaDx, has announced that is has been awarded its fifth patent from the U.S. patent office (U.S. Patent No. 8,124,024), which covers aspects of the sample cassette utilized by the IDbox™. The GenturaDx cassette design is part of the company's proprietary fully automated method of integrating extraction and purification of nucleic acids along with amplification and detection capabilities within the IDbox. This patent is specifically related to innovations within the integrated cassette that reduce the risk of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) contamination that can cause false positive or erroneous results. By automating this important process, human error is minimized.

"The award of this patent supports our continued vision of bringing the highest quality of molecular diagnostic products to clinicians and patients. By simplifying these complex processes, we enable more health care providers with the most sensitive and accurate molecular tests," said GenturaDx Chief Scientific Officer Jesus Ching, Ph.D.

The fully integrated and automated design of the IDbox system will bring an easy-to-use, cost-effective and highly sensitive molecular testing capability to hospital laboratories. These laboratories will benefit from the decreased labor and enhanced workflow, while clinicians will benefit from receiving the most accurate result with rapid turnaround that ultimately allows for faster treatment and management of the patient. The company is currently performing clinical beta studies and heading towards clinical trials in third quarter 2012.