GeneMatrix Inc is a

Korea Korea ( ko, 한국, or , ) is a peninsular region in East Asia. Since 1945, it has been divided at or near the 38th parallel, with North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) comprising its northern half and South Korea (Republi ...

n company servicing molecular diagnostics. The company is listed on

KOSDAQ KOSDAQ (acronym of Korean Securities Dealers Automated Quotations, Korean: 코스닥) is a trading board of Korea Exchange (KRX) in South Korea established in 1996. Initially set up by Korea Financial Investment Association as an independent st ...

:109820. Its main service is to diagnose DNA mutations based on its proprietary technology of

restriction fragment mass polymorphism Restriction Fragment Mass Polymorphism (RFMP) is a technology which Restriction digest, digests DNA into oligonucleotide fragments, and detects variation of DNA sequences by molecular weight of the fragments. RFMP is a Property, proprietary technolo ...

(RFMP). GeneMatrix is affiliated with the Seoul National University Medical Center, the largest oncology center in Korea.

History

GeneMatrix Inc was founded in 2000 by former employees of

CJ Cheil Jedang CJ CheilJedang is a South Korean food company based in Seoul that manufactures food ingredients, ambient, frozen and chilled packaged food products, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. Its brands include bibigo, Gourmet and Hatbahn. bibigo brand ...

, one of South Korea's largest conglomerates. In 2001, VARIAGENICS, INC.(

Nasdaq The Nasdaq Stock Market () (National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations Stock Market) is an American stock exchange based in New York City. It is the most active stock trading venue in the US by volume, and ranked second ...

: VGNX)who was a leader in

pharmacogenomics Pharmacogenomics is the study of the role of the genome in drug response. Its name ('' pharmaco-'' + ''genomics'') reflects its combining of pharmacology and genomics. Pharmacogenomics analyzes how the genetic makeup of an individual affects the ...

, entered into a research and development collaboration with GeneMatrix Inc which had been applying genomic technology to the development of drugs and diagnostics to treat cancer. The ultimate goal was to develop molecular diagnostic products that would predict the body's response to leading drugs in the treatment of colon and gastric cancer. WangDon Yoo, CEO and President of GeneMatrix chose VARIAGENICS as a collaborative partner because, "they have the best platform and expertise in applying pharmacogenomics to all phases of drug and diagnostic development from discovery to commercialization." December 2002, a multi-year contract agreement with IMPATH, a leading source of cancer information and analysis, was established to provide laboratory services for patients in South Korea. GeneMatrix CEO and President, Wangdon Yoo, said the choice to collaborate "was based upon our recognition of IMPATH's leading position in anatomic pathology. IMPATH's expertise as well as its comprehensive service offerings will significantly enhance the ability of local physicians to assess treatment alternatives for cancer patients in our country.".

Research Studies

One of GeneMatrix long, ongoing studies is that of Rapid Genotyping of

Human Papillomavirus Human papillomavirus infection (HPV infection) is caused by a DNA virus from the '' Papillomaviridae'' family. Many HPV infections cause no symptoms and 90% resolve spontaneously within two years. In some cases, an HPV infection persists and r ...

by Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (DESI-MS). The study is a new approach to detecting HPV DNA more rapidly using DESI-MS without sample preparation such as extraction or purification, to diagnose cervical cancer. By utilizing ambient ionization mass spectrometry to detect

oligonucleotides Oligonucleotides are short DNA or RNA molecules, oligomers, that have a wide range of applications in genetic testing, research, and forensics. Commonly made in the laboratory by solid-phase chemical synthesis, these small bits of nucleic acids ...

from

(RFMP) assay, and is used in identifying which HPV genotype from different combinations of multiply charged ions of oligonucleotides. "The spray solvent system operates at the stage of washing a complex mixture of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products, so that the oligonucleotides can be detected without sample treatment."

Patents

Patent Application Number 14/353240: Patent Publication Number 20140308377 - Composition for the treatment and prevention of obesity, containing the active ingredient wheatgrass extract. "The invention was developed by Lee Young-Mi, Kim Dae-Ki and Lee Sun-Hee."

External links

References

Biotechnology companies of South Korea Companies listed on KOSDAQ South Korean brands {{SouthKorea-company-stub