Epoch Pharmaceuticals

Epoch Biosciences, originally founded as Epoch Pharmaceuticals, was a biotechnology company that specialized in developing proprietary DNA-based technologies for genetic analysis and disease diagnosis. The company is best known for its Minor Groove Binder (MGB) technology, which significantly enhances the specificity and stability of DNA probes used in real-time PCR and other molecular assays. Their product portfolio included the MGB Eclipse Probe Systems and various specialized oligonucleotides used in clinical diagnostics and life science research. Epoch successfully licensed its intellectual property to major industry leaders, including Applied Biosystems and Qiagen. In 2004, the company was acquired by Nanogen to integrate its advanced chemistry with Nanogen's microchip-based diagnostic platforms.