LEXINGTON, Mass. & MONTREAL–RainDance Technologies, Inc., the Digital Biology™ Company, today announced the commercial launch of its groundbreaking new ThunderStorm™ System at the 12th International Congress of Human Genetics (ICHG) in Montreal, Canada. The ThunderStorm System is a fully automated high-throughput targeted sequencing solution that enables researchers to determine all variation contained in any region of the genome faster and easier than ever before.

The ThunderStorm System supports a wide range of sequencing applications, including candidate gene screening, Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS) follow up, deep sequencing of heterogeneous tumor samples, medical genetics and targeted methylation analysis. Last month, RainDance announced that Ambry Genetics has adopted the ThunderStorm System for its genetic testing and next-generation targeted sequencing research services.

“Powered by our proven droplet-based single molecule PCR technology, the ThunderStorm System delivers unprecedented daily sample throughput, automated walk-away operation and running economics that are significantly lower than any other commercial solution,” said Roopom Banerjee, President and CEO of RainDance Technologies. “ThunderStorm provides customers an optimized platform and is production-ready for clinical research labs seeking a high-throughput screening and validation solution for their next-generation sequencing workflow.”

The ThunderStorm System is a next-generation targeted sequencing solution that overcomes the limitations of traditional multiplex amplification and hybridization methods with increased accuracy and greater coverage uniformity. The system is capable of simultaneously generating millions of unique droplet-based single molecule PCR reactions for targeting disease-specific loci. With “walk-away” capabilities for automatically processing up to 96 samples per run, the ThunderStorm System offers higher daily sample throughput with lower costs and hands-on time when compared to current enrichment methods. Using the System’s unique smart consumables, researchers can process two samples per chip and eliminate sequencing library preparation costs. The ThunderStorm System is also compatible with all next-generation sequencing platforms.

RainDance will unveil the new ThunderStorm System during the ICHG meeting in exhibition booth #519. Researchers will also be discussing their use of RainDance’s microdroplet-based technologies in a number of poster sessions and at the company’s workshop, “Powering the Latest Advances in Human Health and Disease,” Wednesday, October 12 at 12:30 p.m. ET. For more information about the meeting please visit www.RainDanceTech.com/ASHG2011.

For more information about RainDance Technologies and to view photos of the ThunderStorm System, please visit www.RainDanceTech.com/ThunderStorm.

About RainDance Technologies

RainDance Technologies is pioneering the use of high-throughput microdroplet-based analysis in human health and life science research. The company’s core RainStorm™ technology generates millions of discrete droplets that can encapsulate a single molecule, cell or reaction and be digitally analyzed and sorted one at a time. The power, precision and simplicity of microdroplets enable researchers to answer complex questions with unprecedented sensitivity and quantitation. The complete RainDance solution includes automated instrumentation, customizable bioinformatics and high-value consumables and reagents for applications including targeted next-generation DNA sequencing, methylation, digital PCR and single cell analysis. Based in Lexington, Massachusetts, the company supports scientists around the world through its international sales and support operations and a global network of distributors and service providers. For more information, please visit www.RainDanceTech.com.