SeqLL Announces Publication of a New Blood-Based RNA Sequencing Method to Detect Coronary Artery Disease

WOBURN, Mass., Sept. 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SeqLL Inc. (“SeqLL” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: SQL), a development-stage life sciences instrumentation and research services company engaged in the development of scientific assets and novel intellectual property across multiple “omics” fields, today announced the peer-reviewed publication of a new blood-based RNA Sequencing method to detect Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) powered by SeqLL’s tSMS platform in the September issue of .

The study, “RNA Sequencing of Blood in Coronary Artery Disease: Involvement of Regulatory T-cell Imbalance”, was led by Timothy McCaffery, PhD, Professor of Medicine at the George Washington University (GW) School of Medicine and Health Sciences, with support from a public-private relationship with SeqLL, and support from the St. Laurent Institute and True Bearing Diagnostics, included researchers and physicians from GW as well as Inova Health System (Inova) of Northern Virginia.

Diagnosis of CAD is typically based on coronary angiography, an imaging process used to detect restricted blood flow in the heart’s major arteries. Up to 40% of the 1 million cardiac catheterizations performed in the U.S., however, have a “no blockage” test result, despite clinical indications. To improve diagnostic options, Dr. McCaffrey’s study used a cutting-edge sequencing method to identify an RNA signature in the whole blood of CAD patients who had received diagnoses via angiographies.

“Using SeqLL’s tSMS platform, our team was able to sequence millions of RNA strands per patient at single molecule resolution. This allowed us to reproducibly identify specific RNA transcripts that were altered in patients with coronary disease,” Dr. McCaffrey said. He added that “cardiologists were able to collect the blood while the patients underwent angiographic imaging of their arteries.”

Between two cohorts, one at GW and one at Inova, Dr. McCaffrey and the research team pinpointed new biomarkers from the identified genes that could lend insight into the cause of CAD. For example, they determined that patients with atherosclerosis had reduced activity of their regulatory T-cells, or suppressor T-cells.

“Accumulating evidence suggests that autoimmunity may play a significant factor in CAD. Based on the gene expression pattern in our studies, it appears as though the patient’s immune system becomes stressed, which causes an inappropriate attack on their own arteries,” Dr. McCaffrey explained. “This immune connection extends to COVID-19 as well, as patients have experienced heart-related issues following their bouts with the virus. Our results outperformed the conventional clinical prediction model for CAD and using this new method, blood tests for diagnosing CAD could transform health care.”

According to the , CAD impacts over 18% of adults in the United States age 20 and older and over 665,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease occur annually.

Daniel Jones, SeqLL’s CEO, President, & Co-founder, stated, “This publication demonstrates the tSMS platform’s ability to produce accurate molecular profiles and generate novel biological insights. This study represents another step toward providing improved, non-invasive diagnostic options to those suffering from coronary artery disease. We at SeqLL strongly support the application of our tSMS platform to the field of cardiovascular health, especially one that impacts so many Americans daily.”

This press release contains language also found on the George Washington University .

About tSMS

SeqLL’s exclusive True Single Molecule Sequencing (tSMS) technology enables direct sequencing of millions of individual molecules. It does not involve PCR amplification at any stage of the process and offers simple, straight-forward Sample Prep protocols. It precisely reflects sample composition without bias and loss of diversity & rare species. True Single Molecule Sequencing is ideally suited for challenging applications, including low quantity, difficult or degraded samples, such as cell-free DNA, FFPE-isolated nucleic acids, ancient DNA and forensic samples. The tSMS platform offers maximum flexibility and avoids many of the challenges common for standard sequencing approaches.

About SeqLL

SeqLL Inc. (“SeqLL”) is a development-stage life sciences instrumentation and research services company engaged in the development of scientific assets and novel intellectual property across multiple “omics” fields. The Company intends to leverage their expertise with True Single Molecule Sequencing (“tSMS^®”) technology to enable researchers and clinicians to contribute major advancements to scientific research and development by accelerating one’s understanding of the molecular mechanisms of disease and fundamental biological processes.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including those related to the applicability and viability of the Company’s technology to quantifying RNA molecules from blood and other statements that are predictive in nature. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations and assumptions. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe-harbor for forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking expressions, including, but not limited to, "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "estimate," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "would" and similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. Prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this presentation. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its registration statement on Form S-1, as amended, under the caption "Risk Factors."

Contacts:

Ashley R. Robinson

LifeSci Advisors, LLC

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