Warnex Medical Laboratories provides specialized clinical services for the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries using the most advanced technologies in a highly rigorous quality system environment. We focus on biochemical, microbiological and genetic testing in a wide range of clinical specialties, including endocrinology, haematology, infectious diseases, obstetrics/gynaecology, and oncology. In addition, we have extensive expertise in genetic testing for human identification, molecular diagnostics, and pharmacogenetics.

Founded in 1995 by a group of hematologists and researchers at Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, PRO-DNA Diagnostic quickly established itself as a leader in the scientific and legal communities through its human identification tests and its medicolegal expertise. In the health field, the company has earned credibility with medical professionals through the continual addition of screening and predisposition tests to its service portfolio.

Starting in 1995, PRO-DNA Diagnostic was the first company to use PCR testing to conduct its parentage studies, and was thus able to offer results of unparalleled accuracy on the Canadian market. Sensitive to its clients' comfort level, in 1996 the company was also the first to offer buccal swab sampling, in addition to other sampling methods. Lastly, in the context of its research projects, in 1997, the scientific team published the first Canadian studies carried out on the genetic markers of the French Canadian population.

In 2001, PRO-DNA Diagnostic moved its administrative offices and built a new laboratory to better serve its clientele and step up the pace of its research and development (R&D) projects. This laboratory is considered one of the best-equipped and most successful private laboratories in the country in the area of DNA-based testing.

In 2006, Warnex Inc. acquired PRO-DNA Diagnostic and integrated it into its Warnex Medical Laboratories division. PRO-DNA Dignostics was moved to Warnex's state-of-the-art facilities in Laval.

YVAN CÔTÉ, Ph.D., Vice President & General Manager
Dr. Côté has been Vice President and General Manager, Warnex Medical Laboratories, since January 2005, as well as Vice President, Research & Development of Warnex Research Inc. since September 2003. From January 2003 until joining Warnex, he was Director, Clinical Research with ART Advanced Research Technologies Inc. Dr. Côté held different positions with Adaltis Inc. (BioChem ImmunoSystems Inc.), including Director, Clinical Laboratory and Research & Development, from June 1995 to July 2003. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology and a Ph.D. in Cellular Biology from Sherbrooke University. Following the completion of his Doctorate degree, Dr. Côté accumulated several prestigious fellowships and conducted two postdoctoral positions at the University of Connecticut Health Centre and Yale University. He is the author of many publications in the medical field and has been guest lecturer for a number of conferences in the diagnostic field. He is also Scientific Advisor for Immucon, a member of the Advisory Council of the AOAC Research Institute, and Associate Professor of the University of Sherbrooke's Biology Department.

LAMBERT BUSQUE, M.D., FRCPC, Medical and Scientific Advisor
Dr. Busque is an associate professor of medicine at the Université de Montréal. Both an internist and a hematologist, he studied molecular biology at Harvard University and is a recognized expert in the fields of molecular diagnostics and genetic mapping. A renowned researcher, Dr. Busque has published articles in prestigious journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, Nature Genetics, and the Journal of Clinical Investigation and Blood.

DANIELLE DESMARAIS, Ph.D., Laboratory Director
Dr. Desmarais studied molecular biology at the Université de Sherbrooke and the Université de Montréal. A specialist in the fields of genetic profiling and forensic medicine, she is the author of a number of publications on this subject.

PRO-DNA Diagnostic has an ultra-modern laboratory that was built to meet the highest standards in terms of DNA testing. In addition to its completely separate pre- and post-PCR testing areas, the laboratory has a P3 confinement section that allows for analysis of pathogens such as HIV. With ultra-sophisticated equipment such as multiple-capillary automated sequencers and real-time thermal cyclers, most of the tasks required to perform the diagnostic tests and carry out the research and development projects can be carried out quickly and at relatively low cost.