May 31, 2007

Ireland's IdentiGEN opens new traceability laboratories in US

IdentiGEN, a leading provider of DNA-based solutions to the agriculture and food industries based in Dublin, Ireland opens its new North American laboratories and facilities in Kansas, USA.

The new and state-of-the-art laboratories will initially focus on DNA analysis for the global TraceBack program, IdentiGEN's proprietary meat traceability system. The Kansas facility will also be the launching point for commercialization of DNA TraceBack in North America.

Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky said the new laboratory will be vital in comprehensive meat identification programmes particularly to its exports and local consumption safety. He said Kansas' status as leading state for red meat production is ideal for IdentiGEN's facilities.

DNA TraceBack is the only system that assures both quality and safety of beef and pork by guaranteeing the source of meat products throughout the entire chain of production-from the animal of origin up through the producer, meat packer, food retailer, and right to the consumer's plate, states a news release. It utilizes DNA identification similar to the DNA used for high-tech forensic investigations in humans.

For TraceBack a tiny meat sample is taken from each animal at the time of slaughter and the DNA is profiled. At the retailer, a second sample is systematically taken from cuts of meat. Both sets of samples can then be compared to verify the origin of the meat and its production history. The TraceBack system is practical and cost effective, requiring few changes in current handling or processing procedures, and it has been successfully commercialized in Ireland and other countries in Europe since 2000.

"The ability of our DNA TraceBack system to identify the exact source of meat products and trace them through the entire supply chain provides important potential benefits for consumers, while it also enables processors and retailers to ensure the precise identity of the products they deliver," said Donald Marvin, president and chief executive officer of IdentiGEN in North America. "Moreover, given the science behind our system and its innate simplicity, we can achieve these results at a price point that makes TraceBack feasible and affordable."

In Europe, consumers have already demonstrated their preference for TraceBack-guaranteed and branded beef and pork, the news release continues. In Ireland where IdentiGEN has started, TraceBack verifies the origin of the beef sold by leading supermarket chains including Tesco, the third-largest retailer in the world and the largest in Ireland. Tesco has launched an advertising campaign featuring the DNA TraceBack logo saying it allows Tesco to "independently guarantee ... the quality and safety of the Tesco Irish beef sold to customers."

Patrick Cunningham, Ph.D., chairman of IdentiGEN and chief science advisor to the government of Ireland said the North American operations would be the setting stage for the company's growth as consumers have demonstrated a willingness to pay a premium for guaranteed quality and safety which the company is uniquely positioned to provide that assurance at an affordable price point.

With its North American facility now fully on-line, DNA analysis from IdentiGEN's worldwide TraceBack customers is being transitioned to the company's state-of-the art laboratories in Lawrence, Kansas. This facility is also the launching point for the commercialization of the DNA TraceBack system in the United States and Canada.