SEATTLE, April 30, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NanoString Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:NSTG), a provider of life science tools for translational research and molecular diagnostic products, today announced commercial partnerships with five leading Contract Research Organizations (CROs) that expand access to NanoString’s Digital Spatial Profiling (DSP) technology.

NanoString has entered commercial partnerships with Covance, Cancer Genetics Incorporated, Core Diagnostics, Inc., Propath UK and another undisclosed CRO.  These CRO partners will be able to market DSP services to their customers through a Technology Access Program (TAP) in advance of the expected commercial launch of the DSP instrument platform in 2019.

“Interest in our Digital Spatial Profiling platform is high, especially among biopharmaceutical researchers.  We are excited to be working with innovative CRO partners to reach these potential early adopters through our Technology Access Program,” said Chad Brown, senior vice president of sales & marketing at NanoString.  “By joining forces with this network of select CRO partners, we hope to increase customer awareness of DSP, accelerating its adoption following our full commercial launch.”

Digital Spatial Profiling

NanoString's Digital Spatial Profiling technology enables the precise quantification of highly multiplexed protein and gene expression spatially for regions of interest across the landscape of a heterogeneous tissue sample. Regions of interest can be any shape and size, down to the single cell level. Combining both multiplexed nucleic acid and protein on the same platform gives researchers the ability to spatially measure RNA when suitable antibodies do not exist. NanoString has demonstrated the ability of DSP to spatially profile approximately 50 proteins and 30 mRNAs in Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded (FFPE) tissue biopsies using NanoString’s nCounter® platform, and the ability to simultaneously profile more than 1,000 mRNAs using DSP in combination with Next Generation Sequencing platforms.

Today, DSP technology can be accessed through the Technology Access Program (TAP) offered through NanoString’s Spatial Genomics Services research laboratory. The TAP announced over a year ago has engaged over 30 customers and has enabled NanoString and its collaborators to highlight the performance of DSP in over ten abstracts presented at major scientific meetings.

NanoString and its CRO partners are currently accepting applications to run DSP projects through the TAP. Companies that are interested in accessing this DSP service should contact NanoString at [email protected], or inquire with the CRO service providers listed in this press release.

The DSP instrument system is currently under development and is expected to be available for early access instrument placements late in 2018 followed by a full commercial launch in 2019.

The DSP instrument is currently intended for research use only and is not for use in diagnostic procedures.

About NanoString Technologies, Inc.

NanoString Technologies provides life science tools for translational research and molecular diagnostic products. The company's nCounter® Analysis System has been employed in life sciences research since it was first introduced in 2008 and has been cited in more than 1,900 peer-reviewed publications. The nCounter Analysis System offers a cost-effective way to easily profile the expression of hundreds of genes, proteins, miRNAs, or copy number variations, simultaneously with high sensitivity and precision, facilitating a wide variety of basic research and translational medicine applications, including biomarker discovery and validation. The company's technology is also being used in diagnostics. The Prosigna® Breast Cancer Prognostic Gene Signature Assay together with the nCounter Dx Analysis System is FDA 510(k) cleared for use as a prognostic indicator for distant recurrence of breast cancer. In addition, the company collaborates with biopharmaceutical companies in the development of companion diagnostic tests for various cancer therapies, helping to realize the promise of precision oncology.

For more information, please visit www.nanostring.com.

NanoString, NanoString Technologies, the NanoString logo, nCounter and Prosigna are trademarks or registered trademarks of NanoString Technologies, Inc. in various jurisdictions.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the performance and attributes of Digital Spatial Profiling, including the commercial availability of DSP and the success of our current efforts through our Technology Access Program to accelerate adoption of DSP by customers following full commercial launch. Such statements are based on current assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, include market acceptance of our products; delays or denials of regulatory approvals or clearances for products or applications; delays or denials of reimbursement for diagnostic products; the impact of competition; delays or other unforeseen problems with respect to manufacturing, product development or clinical studies; adverse conditions in the general domestic and global economic markets; as well as the other risks set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. NanoString Technologies disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Contact:

Doug Farrell
Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
[email protected]
Phone: 206-602-1768