BioServe introduced ControlMATCH, a new line of fully annotated control DNA and serum samples designed to help biomedical researchers efficiently validate new biomarkers and early stage clinical trial drug candidates. Leveraging BioServe's Global Repository of 600,000 human biological samples, ControlMATCH allows researchers to select and match control samples to the specific needs of their own DNA and/or serum-based studies.

ControlMATCH DNA and serum controls will initially cover type II diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia, and extend to other disease states in early 2008.

ControlMATCH normal samples for type II diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia are annotated with body mass index (BMI), confirmed normal blood glucose levels, confirmed normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and a family history of health status and ethnicity determined by data collected on three generations. ControlMATCH therefore permits researchers to identify one-to-one matched controls for extended criteria such as age, gender, ethnicity, BMI, diet and a host of lifestyle factors. Furthermore, ControlMATCH includes clinically confirmed negative results enabling researchers to further confirm that their markers are valued against the correct set of controls.

Xin Li Wang, a professor and director in the cardiothoracic research laboratory in the division of cardiothoracic surgery of the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine, commented, "We are engaged in landmark cardiothoracic studies that we hope will reveal the DNA aberrations in a few target genes responsible for thoracic aortic disease. Like any large epidemiological study, time is money and generating valid results as quickly as possible is a prerequisite for success."

"The faster a study is able to generate validated results, the higher the probability of achieving longer term program milestones. By providing us with ready made DNA samples stratified by age, ethnicity and smoking status, BioServe's ControlMATCH has proven to be an indispensable tool in accelerating our research," he added.

"ControlMATCH was developed to be a powerful validation tool for epidemiologists and researchers investigating a variety of major diseases," said Kevin Krenitsky, Chief Executive Officer, BioServe. "DNA and serum control sets linked to extensive clinical, demographic and lifestyle data will enable researchers to both rapidly validate which markers are valuable and worth pursuing, and generally contribute to the genetic understanding of debilitating disease."

About BioServe

BioServe is a leader in the processing, development, and validation of diagnostic tests for the practice of personalized, predictive and preventive medicine. Leading pharma, biotech and diagnostic firms collaborate with BioServe to identify and validate markers that cause disease while correlating clinical and molecular data to develop new diagnostic tests promoting wellness around the world. BioServe offers the Global Repository®, a growing library of over 600,000 human DNA, tissue and serum samples linked to detailed clinical and demographic data from 140,000 consented and anonymized patients from four continents. Leveraging BioServe's robust genomic analytical services, technology, Global Repository and CLIA-certified laboratory, collaborators gain a complete, highly efficient platform for processing diagnostic test results and identifying genomic markers for powerful new assays. BioServe has headquarters in Beltsville, MD and Hyderabad, India.

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