COMPANY HISTORY

Evogen, Inc. is the culmination of the merger of two leading independent companies bringing together technologies to meet the ever evolving needs of the fast-paced and dynamic biodetection industries, including clinical diagnostics, biodefense detection and identification, and environmental testing.  Through the combination of Sceptor Industries, Evogen Ltd., and a licensing partnership with LGC, Evogen Inc. has emerged with a complete menu of accurate, rapid, and affordable solutions for biodetection across markets and around the globe.

Sceptor Industries’ was formed following the U.S. anthrax attacks to meet the challenges of providing security against biological and chemical hazards. While experts had long appreciated the realities of biological and chemical threats to humans, animals, and crops, the imminence of such threats was not appreciated by the general public. Events in recent years have caused the public perception to align with a harsh reality – the threat of biological and chemical attacks is real and must be addressed. The need for additional measures to protect the public from other threats continues to arise.  Natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina showcased the damage contaminated water and mold can have on public health, their homes and public buildings, and their environment for a lifetime. Viruses such as SARS and avian influenza also demonstrate the potential harm to the human population and food supplies.

From its inception, Sceptor’s mission has been to meet the challenges of providing security against biological and chemical hazards. Recognizing the global security challenges of the new millennium, Sceptor brought together a blend of technology and management expertise. Founded in 2002, Sceptor is a leader in chemical and biological safety, unmatched in its ability to develop and deploy superior chemical and biological air sampling solutions and products to public and private commercial entities in the United States and international customers. Sceptor demonstrated unmatched ability through its many partnerships to develop and deploy superior biological air sampling solutions and products for collect/detect system effectiveness to public and private commercial entities in the United States, Department of Defense (DoD) and other United States government agencies, and international customers.

Sceptor’s best known technology, the SpinCon® line of aerosol collectors, continues to be recognized as the premier aerosol collection technology for biological systems. Used as a stand-alone collector or in combination with other analytical tools, SpinCon is employed by commercial, government, and military customers around the world. The United States Postal Service uses SpinCon aerosol collection devices on over 1,000 sorting machines in processing centers across the United States.

Ensuring Sceptor’s leading position in the aerosol collection industry and constantly improving on its technologies, the Company introduced the OMNI™ 3000 in 2005. Utilizing the core SpinCon technology, the OMNI was designed for additional portability, ease of use, and affordability. Among its many placements, the OMNI has been used for environmental sampling in New Orleans by industrial hygienists, by the U.S. government and military for various uses, detection of allergens in homes in Texas, to support infection control strategies in hospitals, and for berilium exposure in industry.

Hundreds of SpinCon and OMNI units have been deployed in numerous indoor and outdoor venues, including use at World Series events, Super Bowls, the NCAA Final Four, Presidential inaugurations, and NATO conferences.

The SpinCon and OMNI have the ability to extract biological contaminants from air and to concentrate them into a small, liquid volume which is easy to analyze. Both systems collect a wide range of pathogens, including viruses and bacteria. Sceptor’s aerosol samplers effectively collect mycotoxins (produced by mold), as well as avian influenza (bird flu), foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), citrus canker, Karnal bunt, tuberculosis, plague, nerve agents, and more. Applications include biosecurity, indoor air quality, occupational exposure, ambient air quality in hospital, and other medical facilities, as well as agriculture – any situation where air quality and safety need to be assured.

In August 2008 Sceptor Industries acquired Evogen Ltd., a UK molecular diagnostics company, and assumed the Evogen name to reflect the transformation of Sceptor to a molecular diagnostics company. Sceptor’s acquisition, Evogen Ltd., formed in 2004, had developed a strong foundation in thermal cycling principles and a desire to provide new approaches to instrumentation design. Designed for all biodetection applications, Evogen technologies are creating rapid and affordable platforms for detection.

This strategic acquisition was made to provide PCR by design - integrated solutions not yet available in the environmental, research, clinical and defense fields.  A key fundamental benefit of all Evogen systems is high value realized through more affordable equipment, faster time to result and information with a greater level of confidence in data provided.  Practically, the fully integrated collection, sample preparation, and analysis systems are portable, easy-to-use, and quick to provide answers using HD PCR™ diagnostics. Applications for expanding product lines will include environmental, animal health, agricultural biotechnology, food and water safety, indoor air quality and defense.

In January 2009, Evogen acquired the worldwide licensing rights for a range of applications of the novel HyBeacons® assay technology for development of molecular detection assays from LGC, an international science-based company with headquarters in the UK.  HyBeacons probes were developed by LGC in response to forensic and medical market needs to identify key genetic differences between individuals, and to distinguish micro-organisms.  HyBeacons probes have unique characteristics that make them suitable for rapid diagnostic and point-of-care applications.  This patented technology allows the rapid development of new assays due to the single probe for multiple target approach. 

These strategic acquisitions provide integrated solutions not yet available in the environmental, research, clinical, and defense diagnostics fields. These solutions include fully integrated collection, sample preparation, and analysis systems that are portable, easy to use, and quick to provide answers using HD PCR diagnostics. 

Evogen is now poised to grow to be the premier global biological detection company.  Evogen assays are being commercialized, powered by HyBeacons technology for biodetection in environmental, research, clinical, and defense testing markets globally.