Typically, scientists have turned to ACD’s RNAscope as the gold standard for gauging RNA quality, which can be a useful proxy for overall tissue integrity. However, it is not uncommon for RNAscope studies to result in discarding over 60 percent of tissue samples. RNAscope’s monopoly on RNA-ISH has shielded it from being scrutinized in detail, since there have been no viable alternatives in over a decade.
Molecular Instruments (MI), a biotech startup that spun out of the California Institute of Technology in 2018 on the promise of its patented, proprietary HCR™ Platform, is launching a revolutionary product that pledges to significantly enhance every workflow that today depends on RNAscope.
Molecular Instruments: Simplifying Spatial-Omics with HCR™ Amplification
In addition to the newest HCR™ RNA-CISH product, MI is planning to further expand the spatial imaging capabilities it offers through a next-generation HCR™ RNA-FISH product that will undergo beta testing in the coming months, as well as HCR™ IHC/IF products later in the year. The company strongly believes in the unique differentiation the HCR™ Platform enables and has planned a broad range of products that incorporate it.
We believe that RNA imaging will be a key part of health and medicine in the future and that researchers and clinicians require better, more capable tools to be able to take full advantage of that future. We’re excited to be entering at the forefront of the research tools space.
MI is a rare biotech startup that markets and distributes kits today, rather than seeking investments for future reward. They are certainly a company to keep an eye on to see if they are able to execute on their raw potential.
