Gen-Probe Incorporated (NASDAQ: GPRO) is a global leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of rapid, accurate and cost-effective nucleic acid tests (NATs) used primarily to diagnose human diseases and screen donated human blood. NATs harness the power of biotechnology to detect diseases more rapidly and/or accurately than older tests, and are therefore among the fastest-growing segments of the in vitro diagnostics industry.
Gen-Probe markets a broad portfolio of products that use the Company's patented technologies to detect infectious microorganisms, including those causing sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), tuberculosis, strep throat, pneumonia and fungal infections. Gen-Probe's key clinical diagnostics products include the APTIMA COMBO 2® and PACE® assays, which are used to detect the common STDs Chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Gen-Probe's early 2009 acquisition of United Kingdom-based Tepnel provides the Company new growth opportunities in transplant diagnostics, genetic testing and pharmaceutical services.
In blood screening, Gen-Probe developed and manufactures the PROCLEIX® assay, which is used to detect HIV-1 and the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in donated human blood; the PROCLEIX ULTRIO® assay, which also detects the hepatitis B virus; and the PROCLEIX WNV (West Nile virus) assay. Gen-Probe's blood screening products are marketed worldwide by Chiron, a business unit of Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Inc.
Several of Gen-Probe's current and future molecular tests can be performed on the Company's TIGRIS® instrument, the only fully automated, high-throughput NAT system for diagnostics and blood screening.
Gen-Probe also has a robust development pipeline. The Company is developing NATs to detect prostate cancer and human papillomavirus, which causes cervical cancer. In addition, Gen-Probe is building on the success of the TIGRIS system by developing the PANTHER instrument, a versatile, fully automated NAT system for low- to mid-volume laboratories.
Gen-Probe is headquartered in San Diego and employs approximately 1,200 people. For more information, go to
