Genescan hits Japan
food and feed, has established its presence in Japan by naming
FASMAC of Kanagawa, a subsidiary of Nippon Flour Mills, as its
exclusive licensee in Japan.
GeneScan, involved in the molecular biological testing of food and feed, made moves in Japan by naming FASMAC of Kanagawa, a subsidiary of Nippon Flour Mills, as its exclusive licensee in Japan.
The deal gives FASMAC access to GeneScan's library of PCR detection technology. FASMAC will be authorised to utilise GeneScan's analytical procedures in the detection of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), pathogens and species identification.
"The staff of FASMAC, headed by Dr. Satoshi Futo, are well respected within the industry for their technical skills and commitment to quality, as such, they will be an ideal partner for GeneScan," said Dr. Michael Russell of GeneScan.
The GeneScan laboratories in Germany and in the US are ISO-17025 accredited and all GeneScan related laboratories are organised along these same standards. GeneScan's production facility for GMO detection PCR kits is ISO-9001 accredited. Likewise, FASMAC has received ISO 9001 accreditation. Both FASMAC and GeneScan successfully participate in ring trials and proficiency-testing check sample programs and serve on key technical committees in the area of detection of GMOs.
"Establishing an analytical presence in Japan is another important step in realising GeneScan's commitment to provide high quality, regional service to its international client base," said Dr. Russell.
In November of 2002, GeneScan officially opened its Brazilian laboratory outside of Sao Paulo adding to labs in Europe (Germany), the USA (New Orleans), Australia (Melbourne), licensed to the New Zealand company AgriQuality, and a subsidiary in Hong Kong.
According to Genescan their most recent collaboration strengthens the ties with FASMAC by establishing procedures for the joint research and development of new products and services. The expertise of these two will be combined with a goal of improving current analytical procedures and of adapting new, evolving technology in this field to commercial applications. The combined R&D capabilities of FASMAC and GeneScan are said to be unmatched in the field of GMO detection and will allow the partners to strengthen their leadership position in this field.
FASMAC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nippon Flour Mills. FASMAC is the leading GMO testing laboratory in Japan as well as a producer of high purity oligonucleotides. Consolidated sales for the company are approximately $1.5 billion (€1.4bn).
