Spectral Genomics Inc., aims to become one of the first, if not the first, to bring a diagnostic microarray through to FDA approval. Spectral belives its BAC clone arrays offer major advantages in detecting large scale chromosomal amplifications, deletions and rearrangements characteristic of cancers and many congenital defects. The speed and universality of the arrays make them potentially practical for low-cost, high-speed, and targeted diagnostic purposes.

Mid-stage clinical trial data rarely provide an easy answer on whether to advance a compound into complex and costly pivotal studies. Agilix Corp. has stepped into that void to offer gene expression analysis services using its GenCompass-a microarry-based expression profiling system that provides a rapid whole genome comparison between test and control subjects, providing data even about as yet uncharacterized genes.

The managers of GeneXP Biosciences think the global views of gene expression afforded by Affymetrix's microarray chips have their limitations--too much information. GeneXP aims to serve researchers who are ready to focus on specific gene sets. It will sell companies the tools and equipment they need to do high-throughput gene expression studies--or do the work for them.