US-based Strategic Diagnostics Inc. announced the release of its new, second-generation test to detect the use of unauthorized herbicide-resistant soybeans in Brazil.
The test will enable SDI’s customer to collect royalties from unauthorized soybean seed grown primarily in the southern Brazilian states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina.
The second generation test offers an array of new benefits, including increased testing speed, improved accuracy and reduced costs. This replaces the first generation product sold for the same purpose, which was introduced in the first quarter of 2004.
The product launch is expected to result in increased sales beginning during the fourth quarter of 2004 and continuing throughout 2005.
The potential scope of the testing is still not clearly defined, but SDI expects that the overall volume of testing for this purpose has increased 24 percent on an annualized basis.
The Company will utilize its Brazilian distribution partner to deliver the product to the customer.
Matthew Knight, President of SDI commented, “We are delighted to complete the development of the new Trait (check) RUR AT Test Strips(R), which helped earn us this contract for the second consecutive year. The entire process was driven by our new Stage and Gate development process termed ‘Design Check.’
“This process successfully highlights our organization’s ability to complete well-defined development programs on accelerated schedule. In addition to reinforcing SDI’s position as the leading provider of on-site testing technology for the GMO testing market, this project has significantly enhanced the company’s overall technical knowledge and manufacturing capability on a strategic test platform.
“The new precision of this test will serve as a model for the market to adopt rapid, on-site testing to monitor the unauthorized use of genetic traits. We believe this will not only protect our clients’ patent and intellectual property rights, but will also maximize their inherent revenue opportunities.”
Strategic Diagnostics Inc. is the world-leading provider of the rapid agricultural GMO test methods for determining presence of genetically modified organisms in seed, grain, and processed foods.
SDI technology is used by agricultural biotechnology companies, seed developers and grain handlers to rapidly and cost-effectively determine the presence of genetically modified traits for quality control and identity preservation.
Strategic Diagnostics Inc.
www.sdix.com
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