Xenomics, Inc. (Symbol: XNOM) is the developer of next-generation molecular diagnostics products that address important health problems around the world. They are focusing on the development of DNA-based tests using Transrenal DNA or Tr-DNA.

Tr-DNAs are fragments of DNA derived from dying cells inside the body compartment. The intact DNA is fragmented in these dying cells, and then appears in the bloodstream. These fragments have been shown to cross the kidney barrier and can be detected in urine. Xenomics’ technology uses safe and simple urine collection to be applied to a broad range of testing, such as tumor detection, tissue transplants, infectious disease, even bio-terrorism.

Even though their stock performance in the past 3 months (see above) does not really look enticing, judging from the technology that they are currently developing - this stock can potentially be a good long-term investment. Let me give you a little bit of summary of their technology:

A particularly important feature of Tr-DNA diagnostic technology is that it is a true platform technology. This means that a single laboratory testing procedure designed to detect specific DNA biomarkers can be used to detect many forms of infectious diseases, cancer, transplanted cells and organs, or even prenatal detection of genetic markers of a fetus.

Tr-DNA tests are based upon a simple proprietary method of DNA isolation, followed by detection of DNA fragments bearing specific genetic markers. The detection methods and techniques are already well known and proven in molecular diagnostics laboratories where they are used to detect DNA in blood and a wide variety of specimens. Now these techniques are readily applied to the detection of Tr-DNA markers isolated from urine specimens. Thus, Tr-DNA technology may be applied to detecting and monitoring an extremely broad spectrum of medical conditions.

Additional advantages include:

• The kidney acts as a filter and presents purified Tr-DNA in the urine and, therefore, simplifies the sample preparation and DNA isolation steps currently required in the laboratory by other testing methods.
• The collection procedure is non-invasive and, therefore:
• Does not require the involvement of trained medical staff, and
• Easily supports repeated tests when conditions require and results in no discomfort for the patient.
• The Xenomics technology utilizes existing analytical equipment readily available in diagnostic laboratories through the world. Any new capital spending would be limited.
• Tr-DNA is stable at room temperature for extended periods. DNA in blood and many other traditional samples are not.
• Test processing can often be easily automated.
• Although many clinical Tr-DNA tests are performed using only a few drops of urine, it is readily possible to isolate these markers from larger volumes and thus increase the sensitivity of the test. This cannot be done easily using blood or tissue specimens.
• In many instances, blood or sputum for detection of infectious diseases cannot be easily obtained from many patients such as small children or the elderly. Urine specimens are not often a problem.
• Blood and other bodily fluids are highly infectious by nature, urine is not.

So…What do you think?

Source: xenomics.com

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