HTG Announces New Patent for Its Technology Issued in Japan

Patent covers nuclease protection methods for detection of nucleotide variants  

TUCSON, Ariz., April 03, 2018 -- HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. (Nasdaq:HTGM), a provider of instruments, reagents, and services for molecular profiling applications, today announced the issuance of Japan Patent Number 6290202 for “Nuclease Protection Methods for Detection of Nucleotide Variants.”

The patented technology involves a nuclease-protection method using wild‑type and variant probes competing for binding to a target nucleic acid molecule, such as messenger RNA, to detect the presence, if any, of a variant nucleotide in the target. The patent, which provides protection until June 2033, is part of a family of patents and patent applications claiming this method, including U.S. patent no. 9,765,385 issued on September 19, 2017.

“We are pleased to strengthen our intellectual property protection with the addition of this patent in Japan covering this application of our core technology,” stated TJ Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of HTG. “We have consistently sought to protect, expand, and improve uses of our nuclease-protection-based technologies in the U.S. and globally. We now have over 20 patents in this space, including our HTG EdgeSeq method patents.”

About HTG
HTG is focused on next generation sequencing (NGS) based molecular profiling. The company’s proprietary HTG EdgeSeq technology automates complex, highly multiplexed molecular profiling from solid and liquid samples, even when limited in amount. HTG’s customers use its technology to identify biomarkers important for precision medicine, to understand the clinical relevance of these discoveries, and ultimately to identify treatment options. Our mission is to empower precision medicine at the local level.

Safe Harbor Statement
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about the benefits and uses of our patented technologies, and the size, expiration date(s) and content of our patent portfolio, each patent of which is subject to timely annuity fee payments, will expire as a matter of course even if annuities are timely paid, and may be adversely affected by potential legal challenges prior to its expiration. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends," "will," "goal," "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements necessarily contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based upon management's current expectations, are subject to known and unknown risks, and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, our ability to successfully develop, market and/or commercialize new methods, technologies and/or products, including our patented technologies. These and other factors are described in greater detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation our Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended December 31, 2017. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made, and we undertake no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ashley Robinson
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
617-775-5956
[email protected]

TJ Johnson
President/CEO
HTG Molecular Diagnostics
520-547-2827 x130
[email protected]