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Diagnostic HYBRIDS, Inc.

Diagnostic HYBRIDS, Inc.
Diagnostic Hybrids, Inc. develops, manufactures, and sells cellular and molecular diagnostic kits for the detection and diagnosis of various respiratory diseases, as well as herpes infections and other specific viral and thyroid diseases. Diagnostic Hybrids is the world's largest cell culture provider, with about 700 customers across the globe.

History
Diagnostic Hybrids was founded in 1983 by biomedical entrepreneur Wilfred R. Konneker, Ph.D., in collaboration with Ohio University professors Joseph Jollick, Ph.D. and Thomas E. Wagner, Ph.D. Based in Athens, Ohio, Diagnostic Hybrids continues to grow with an international customer base that includes the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia and Europe.

Current president and CEO, David R. Scholl, PhD., has overseen the growth and development of DHI from its very beginning. The company's success is attributed to DHI's relationship with Ohio University's researchers and sophisticated lab facilities. DHI was originally located in Ohio University's Innovation Center, an on-campus facility created for new high technology companies; however, because of its large growth rate and success, DHI moved to a newly renovated 62,000 square foot manufacturing facility at the Ohio University Research and Enterprise Park. In November 2007, manufacturing moved to this facility, followed by administration in January 2008 and R&D in November 2008.

Early studies had been conducted with the microorganism responsible for strep throat; however, subsequent testing had proved effective for the detection of herpes virus from clinical specimens. The testing process, termed DNA hybridization, involves stripping away one of two paired DNA segments and labeling the remaining segment; the result is the DNA probe. The probe will only attach to an identical DNA segment when combined with genetic material from the diagnostic sample. Since the probe is coded for the specific identifying characteristic of an infectious agent, hybridization proves the existence of the virus or bacteria.

This technique, along with innovative research and cutting edge technology, allowed Diagnostic Hybrids to incorporate tissue cell cultures, diagnostic kits and biochemical reagents to its thriving prosperity. DHI began sales to researchers in 1987.

DHI has approximately 80 full-time employees, as well as part-time undergraduate employees from Ohio University and Hocking College. Furthermore, DHI employs members of Atco, a non-profit organization for people with disabilities in Athens County.

Products
Researchers at Diagnostic Hybrids continue to develop new products for the detection of various diseases. Several different product lines are offered to clients ranging from multi-billion dollar commercial laboratories to small community hospital laboratories.

Products are designed to allow clinicians to meet guidelines published by the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

D³® Duet™ DFA Influenza A & RSV Screening Kits
This new screening kit, as well as the D³® Ultra™ DFA screening kit, can identify the seven major respiratory viruses in 15 minutes from a direct patient specimen, or from incubated tissue cultures. These viruses include: Adenovirus, Influenza A and Influenza B viruses, Parainfluenza viruses types 1, 2 and 3 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus.

Both kits can can rule out all seven major pathogens or identify any one of the seven viruses using highly sensitive and specific reagents in a single 15-minute incubation step.

ELVIS® HSV ID/Typing Test Systems
ELVIS®, the Enzyme Linked Virus Inducible System, employs transgenic technology for rapid detection and indentification of Herpes Simplex Viruses 1 and 2 through a patented, genetically engineered host cell line. Identification of positive or negative specimens is performed with a standard light microscope. The ID/Typing staining kit allows for further typing of positive specimens as either HSV-1 or HSV-2 with the use of a flourescent microscope. Results are 7-10 days earlier than with conventional methods.

D³® DFA HSV Identification & Typing Kits
This identification kit allows for easy differentiation and rapid detection of Herpes family viruses (HSV, VZV, CMV.) Most lesion or genital herpes cultures show positive results within 24 hours on H&V-Mix MixedCells.

D³® DFA Chlamydiae Culture Confirmation Kit
Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydiophila species (psittaci and pneumoniae) are responsible for serious genital, respiratory and ocular infections that can result in infertility, premature birth, pneumonia and blindness. The D³® DFA Chlamydiae Culture Confirmation Kit, with newly developed monoclonal antibodies, is capable of detecting all 15 Chlamydia trachomatis serovars, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, and Chlamydophila psittaci.

D³® IFA Enterovirus ID Kit
Diagnostic Hybrids has combined two advanced technologies for the rapid isolation and specific identification of Enterovirus. Test results are produced in as little as 16 hours.

C. difficile Toxin Detection System
Cytotoxin (Toxin B) produced by toxigenic strains of C. difficile is considered the most sensitve indicator of pathogenicity of this anaerobic bacterium. C. difficile causes pseudomembranous colitis and severe diarreah in patients on various antibiotics or who are otherwise compromised when normal bacterial fecal flora are reduced. Early detection of cytotoxin can help establish needed therapeutic measures to improve patient health and prevent serious sequelae.

Cell Lines
Diagnostic Hybrids offers many conventional monolayer cell line products for use in diagnosing and detecting viruses that cause human illness.


 * Mixed FreshCells™
 * H&V-Mix™
 * R-Mix Too™
 * R-Mix™
 * Super E-Mix™
 * C. difficile Toxin FreshCells
 * ReadyCells®
 * ReadyCells® Chlamydia System
 * ReadyCells® Enterovirus System
 * ReadyCells® Herpes & CMV System
 * ReadyCells® Respiratory System
 * Super E-Mix™ ReadyCells®

Awards and Recognition
In June 2003, Dr. David Scholl received the Columbus and Central Ohio Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the Healthcare/Life Sciences category. Finalists and award recipients were selected based on such criteria as entrepreneurial story, financial growth, employee growth and community involvement.

Additionally, in 2004 and 2005, Diagnostic Hybrids was recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the top 500 fastest-growing private companies in the United States.

In June 2004, Ohio governor Bob Taft presented Diagnostic Hybrids, as well as 24 other companies, with the "E" award for excellence in exporting. DHI was among those distinguished for its contribution to the $29.8 billion funneled into Ohio's economy through exports in 2003.

Two months later, DHI received a TIGAR Award, awards which recognize individuals or companies that have shown outstanding leadership in building a strong information technology sector in southern and southeastern Ohio.