Clontech Laboratories, Inc. signs agreement with Ludwig Cancer Research for access to Smart-seq2

Method for sequencing all the genes expressed by a single cell offers vast improvement on the sensitivity of current technologies

Mountain View, CA—March 23, 2015—Clontech Laboratories, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Takara Bio Inc., today announced that it has entered into an exclusive agreement with Ludwig Cancer Research for rights to the Smart-seq2 method for single-cell RNA-seq, which was developed in Rickard Sandberg's laboratory at Ludwig Stockholm. As a result of this agreement, Clontech will become the exclusive supplier of SMART-Seq2 technology.

"We have a strong interest in advancing single-cell RNA-seq technology and applications, and we are deeply committed to continuing to develop products that will enable such advances by boosting assay sensitivity for studies essential to a wide variety of biological fields," commented Carol Lou, President of Clontech Laboratories, Inc. "Our focus continues to be on providing new solutions to customers, enabling them to work with the most challenging samples."

"I am very pleased to be working closely with Clontech," said Sandberg who, aside from being a member of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, is also an Associate Professor at the Karolinska Institute. "This method allows researchers to capture genes expressed in single cells, or whose transcripts are present at vanishingly low levels. It can identify subtle differences between cell types in virtually any kind of biological sample. As a scientist, I look forward to seeing how it is applied across the life sciences."

With SMART-Seq2 technology, Clontech continues to push the boundaries of SMART (Switching Mechanism at the 5' end of the RNA Template) and SMARTer technologies for sensitive RNA-seq, including transcriptome analysis from single cells and total RNA-seq from low-input and challenging samples. Clontech also continues to push forward the development of related technologies, including the recently released DNA SMART kit for ChIP-seq library production from low-input dsDNA and ssDNA templates.

As the exclusive supplier of SMART-Seq2 technology, Clontech will continue its tradition of supporting good science by providing the most up-to-date tools to meet the ever-changing needs of life science researchers. For more information about Clontech products for next-generation sequencing, please visit: www.clontech.com/NGS.

About Clontech Laboratories, Inc.

Clontech Laboratories, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Takara Bio Inc., develops, manufactures, and distributes a wide range of life science research reagents under the Clontech and Takara brands. Key products include SMARTer cDNA synthesis kits for a variety of samples and applications, including NGS; high-performance qPCR and PCR reagents (including the Takara Ex Taq, Takara LA Taq, Titanium, and Advantage enzymes); RT enzymes and SMART library construction kits; the innovative In-Fusion cloning system; Tet-based inducible gene expression systems; Living Colors fluorescent proteins; and a range of Macherey-Nagel nucleic acid purification tools. These and other products support applications including NGS, gene discovery, regulation, and function; protein expression and purification; RNAi and stem cell studies; and plant and food research. For more information, visit www.clontech.com.

About Takara Bio Inc.

Takara Bio Inc. is an innovative biotechnology company based in Shiga, Japan. As a world leader in biotechnology research and development, Takara Bio was the first company to market PCR technology in Japan and is also the developer of the RetroNectin reagent, which is used as a world standard in gene therapy protocols. In addition to providing research reagents and equipment to the life science research market, Takara Bio has active research and product development activities in the fields of gene and cell-based therapy and agricultural biotechnology; and is committed to preventing disease and improving the quality of life for all people through the use of biotechnology. Through strategic alliances with other industry leaders, Takara Bio aims to extend its reach around the world. More information is available at www.takara-bio.com.

About Ludwig Cancer Research

Ludwig Cancer Research is an international collaborative network of acclaimed scientists that has pioneered cancer discoveries for more than 40 years. Ludwig combines basic research with the ability to translate its discoveries and conduct clinical trials to accelerate the development of new cancer diagnostics and therapies. Since 1971, Ludwig has invested more than $2.5 billion in life-changing cancer research through the not-for-profit Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and the six U.S.-based Ludwig Centers.

Contact Information

Clontech Laboratories, Inc.
Lorna Neilson, Ph.D.
Director, Business Development
Clontech Laboratories, Inc.
1290 Terra Bella Avenue
Mountain View, CA 94043 
lorna_neilson@clontech.com 
650.919.7372