SAN DIEGO, June 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bionano Genomics, Inc. (NASDAQ: BNGO) today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office will issue US Patent No. 10,676,352 on June 9th, 2020. The patent, titled “NANONOZZLE DEVICE ARRAYS: THEIR PREPARATION AND USE FOR MACROMOLECULAR ANALYSIS,” covers the addition of a detector, such as a nanopore, to Bionano’s patented nanochannels. The patent describes how such nanodetector could detect DNA sequence information, detect the presence or absence of chemical modifications or specific labels attached to the DNA using a variety of detection technologies, and how such nanochannel-nanodetector combination array, called a nanonozzle device array, can be manufactured.
Bionano’s proprietary nanochannel arrays already provide industry-leading throughput of the longest DNA molecules and are used in a wide range of disease applications, including highly complex cancers. Bionano believes that combining these nanochannel arrays with nanodetectors such as nanopores may one day enable high-throughput massively parallel long-read sequencing of ultra-high molecular weight DNA.The patent is part of Bionano’s intellectual property portfolio that includes 100 issued patents and numerous patent applications that cover its core technology of confining and linearizing ultra-long DNA molecules and other macromolecules in parallel nanochannel arrays, and the detection of sequence or genomic feature specific labels on those molecules. Additionally, Bionano’s patent portfolio covers the methods for fabricating such nanochannel devices, as well as multiple technologies for sample processing and analysis related workflows.“Nanopore sequencing typically suffers from a lack of consistent, high-throughput because of the complexity of moving extremely long DNA molecules through nanopores,” comments Erik Holmlin, PhD, CEO of Bionano Genomics. “This technical limitation means that nanopore sequencing needs to sacrifice molecule length for throughput. Bionano Genomics has developed an industry-leading ability to control the movement of extremely long DNA molecules in and through hundreds of thousands of parallel nanochannels, to enable high-throughput genome analysis. This patent protects the invention of adding nanopores to our nanochannels, which we believe could be a key step to solving one of the main limitations of nanopore sequencing. While commercialization of this technology is not yet on our roadmap, the upcoming patent allows us to confidently evaluate strategies for beginning that process.”About Bionano GenomicsBionano is a genome analysis company providing tools and services based on its Saphyr system to scientists and clinicians conducting genetic research and patient testing. Bionano’s Saphyr system is a platform for ultra-sensitive and ultra-specific structural variation detection that enables researchers and clinicians to accelerate the search for new diagnostics and therapeutic targets and to streamline the study of changes in chromosomes, which is known as cytogenetics. The Saphyr system is comprised of an instrument, chip consumables, reagents and a suite of data analysis tools, and genome analysis services to provide access to data generated by the Saphyr system for researchers who prefer not to adopt the Saphyr system in their labs. For more information, visit www.bionanogenomics.com.Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend” and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes and are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs, projections, outlook, analyses or current expectations concerning, among other things: the effectiveness and utility of the nanopore technology covered by our patent, including the expected results of combining our proprietary nanochannel arrays with nanodetectors; near-term benefits of our patent, including with respect to protecting our intellectual property claims on this combination of technologies; and potential commercialization of this patent technology. Each of these forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include the risks that the nanopore technology covered by our patent may not be as effective as expected, as well as risks and uncertainties associated with: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and the global economy; general market conditions; changes in the competitive landscape and the introduction of competitive products; changes in our strategic and commercial plans; our ability to obtain sufficient financing to fund our strategic plans and commercialization efforts; the loss of key members of management and our commercial team; and the risks and uncertainties associated with our business and financial condition in general, including the risks and uncertainties described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and in other filings subsequently made by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made and are based on management’s assumptions and estimates as of such date. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of the receipt of new information, the occurrence of future events or otherwise.ContactsCompany Contact:Erik Holmlin, CEO
Bionano Genomics, Inc.
+1 (858) 888-7610
eholmlin@bionanogenomics.comInvestor Relations Contact:Ashley R. Robinson
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
+1 (617) 430-7577
arr@lifesciadvisors.comMedia Contact:Kirsten Thomas
The Ruth Group
+1 (508) 280-6592
kthomas@theruthgroup.com
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