Cepheid Delivers Gene-Detection System to Army

Cepheid

(CPHD)

said it delivered the first prototype of its Genexpert DNA detection system to the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute.

The system is the first PCR-based instrument that can fully automate all of the steps necessary for DNA detection and will allow operators with minimal training to obtain a sample in less than 30 minutes.

The medical device maker said it expects the system to be commercially available in 2003.

Shares of Cepheid were recently trading up about 10% to $5.10 in Instinet premarket action.