Introducing Cheetah™ FLEX and Cheetah™ PEA-PLEX HotStart Taq DNA Polymerases for qPCR, PEA, and NGS-Based PEA Workflows

May 19, 2025 – Fremont, CA — Biotium, a leading provider of fluorescent reagents for life science research, proudly expands its trusted Cheetah™ Taq DNA Polymerase line with two new formulations: Cheetah™ FLEX HotStart Taq DNA Polymerase and Cheetah™ PEA-PLEX HotStart Taq DNA Polymerase.

These optimized versions of Biotium’s chemically modified, antibody-free hot-start Taq offer unmatched activation speed and performance for modern workflows, including fast-cycling qPCR, proximity extension assays (PEA), and NGS-based high-throughput PEA for protein detection. While Cheetah™ Taq has been a reliable choice for reducing non-specific amplification in PCR, these newly tailored formulations bring greater flexibility and targeted performance to meet the evolving needs of researchers and suppliers of high-throughput commercial assays.

Cheetah™ FLEX HotStart Taq: Fast-Cycling & PEA Versatility

Cheetah™ FLEX is engineered for speed and adaptability across a range of applications. With a rapid 2-minute activation at 95°C, FLEX delivers up to 10x faster activation than AmpliTaq Gold® or HotStartTaq®, with none of the drawbacks of antibody-based hot-start enzymes. The antibody-free formulation eliminates animal DNA contamination and provides enhanced long-term stability. Cheetah™ FLEX is validated for fast-cycling PCR and qPCR-based PEA, making it a go-to choice for both routine and advanced workflows. After heat activation, Cheetah™ Taq has the same functional properties and fidelity as native Taq polymerase.

Cheetah™ PEA-PLEX HotStart Taq: Optimized for NGS-Based High-Throughput PEA

Cheetah™ PEA-PLEX is a unique formulation of Cheetah™ Taq developed  specifically for high-throughput, NGS-based PEA assay for protein detection. Third-party validated in high-throughput PEA, Cheetah™ PEA-PLEX is also compatible with fast-cycling qPCR.

Key Features of Cheetah™ HotStart Taq DNA Polymerase:

Novel chemical hot-start mechanism: No antibodies, no activation lag
Rapid 2-minute activation at 95°C
Antibody-free, low-DNA enzyme for contamination-free results
Superior long-term stability than traditional chemically modified Taq
Versatile use for fast-cycling qPCR and PEA
Cheetah™ PEA-PLEX developed and validated for NGS-based PEA assays
Available in ready-to-use kits and customizable bulk formats
  Cheetah™ Taq requires only 2 minutes of heat activation for full recovery of activity. Comparison of hot-start recovery of polymerase activity for Cheetah™ Taq and AmpliTaq Gold® following incubation at 95°C in 50 mM pH 8.0 Tris.

Cheetah™ FLEX and Cheetah™ PEA-PLEX Hotstart Taq are available now and can be purchased in standard or bulk sizes. Both formulations are available for licensing; contact techsupport@biotium.com for evaluation samples and to discuss custom size, packaging, or formulation options.

Learn more about Cheetah™ FLEX HotStart Taq DNA Polymerase and Cheetah™ PEA-PLEX HotStart Taq DNA Polymerase. These technologies add to Biotium’s growing portfolio of high-performance PCR reagents, including Forget-Me-Not™ qPCR Master Mixes, powered by Cheetah™ Taq and EvaGreen® qPCR Dye.

About
Biotium is a leading life science reagent manufacturer and supplier devoted to providing high-quality and innovative fluorescent tools that fuel scientific discovery. Our collaborative team of experienced chemists and biologists, who are at the forefront of fluorescent dye design, apply chemistry-based principles toward producing solutions for unmet challenges in life science and medical research. Since its founding in 2001, Biotium has developed over 30 patented technologies that have been licensed out to leading life science technology companies worldwide.