GAITHERSBURG, Md., June 20, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OpGen, Inc. (NASDAQ:OPGN), a precision medicine company using molecular diagnostics and bioinformatics to combat infectious disease, today presented data that support the use of its Acuitas^® Resistome Test in epidemiological studies to aid in routine evaluations for mechanisms of resistance among carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) at ASM Microbe 2016 in Boston.

The poster titled “Performance of Two Methods for Detection of Carbapenem Resistance Mechanism Among Enterobacteriaceae” was presented by Shelley Miller, Ph.D., D (ABMM), Clinical Instructor, Clinical Microbiology, Development Section at University of California, Los Angeles. Key findings include:

• The Acuitas Resistome Test performed comparably to RT-PCR for the detection of carbapenemase genes.
• This test provides additional genetic data on resistance mechanisms, helping to provide CRE positive results contrasted with negative results from the lab-developed RT-PCR.

“The need for rapid infection control is greater today given the rapid rate of resistance that we are seeing to what were once curative medicines,” said Romney Humphries, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles. “It is imperative that health systems take measures to routinely evaluate for mechanisms of resistance among carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae.”  

The Acuitas Resistome Test detects antibiotic resistance genes associated with organisms such as: Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, and Citrobacter freundii. Results are then delivered from OpGen Clinical Services Laboratory within 24 hours of receipt of specimens.

“These data further validate the Acuitas Resistome Test as efficacious for the detection of carbapenemase genes,” stated Kevin Krenitsky, M.D., President of OpGen. “It is critical that hospitals and health systems have access to precision medicine tools to rapidly combat evolving MDROs.”

ASM (American Society for Microbiology) Microbe 2016 integrates ASM’s two premier events, its General Meeting and ICAAC (Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy). This conference is the largest gathering of microbiologists in the world and showcases the best microbial sciences while providing a unique forum to explore the full spectrum of microbiology from basic science to full translation and application.

About OpGen
OpGen, Inc. is developing and deploying precision medicine tools to combat infectious disease in global healthcare settings, helping physicians improve patient outcomes by providing more rapid information about life-threatening infections and decreasing the spread of infections caused by multidrug-resistant microorganisms. OpGen offers a full portfolio of in vitro diagnostic products and clinical laboratory services that employ state-of-the-art molecular diagnostics and bioinformatics. Its QuickFISH® products are a suite of FDA-cleared and CE-marked diagnostics used to rapidly detect pathogens in positive blood cultures.  Clinical laboratory services utilize the Acuitas® products, including the MDRO Gene Test, the Resistome Test, microbial Whole Genome Sequence Analysis and Acuitas Lighthouse™ bioinformatics system designed to detect, type, track and trend antibiotic resistant organisms in real-time. Learn more at www.opgen.com and follow OpGen on Twitter and LinkedIn. 

OpGen Forward-Looking Statements 
This press release includes statements relating to the company's Acuitas MDRO, products and clinical laboratory services. These statements and other statements regarding our future plans and goals constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that are often difficult to predict, are beyond our control, and which may cause results to differ materially from expectations. Factors that could cause our results to differ materially from those described include, but are not limited to, the rate of adoption of our products and services by hospitals and other health care providers, the success of our commercialization efforts, the effect on our business of existing and new regulatory requirements, and other economic and competitive factors. For a discussion of the most significant risks and uncertainties associated with OpGen's business, please review our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are based on our expectations as of the date of this press release and speak only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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OpGen Media
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Cammy Duong
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