Luminex and Exiqon Sign Distribution Agreement for MicroRNA Products and Launch Expanded Product Line
Exiqon to Lead Distribution of FlexmiR Products as the Companies Continue to Develop New MicroRNA Technologies
AUSTIN, Texas & COPENHAGEN, Denmark, July 10 / / -- Luminex Corporation (NASDAQ:LMNX), a leading provider of multiplex solutions, and Exiqon A/S (OMX: EXQ), a leading supplier of high-value gene expression analysis products, today announced the execution of a distribution agreement for the FlexmiR(TM) line of products co-developed by the companies in 2006. Under the terms of the agreement, Exiqon has obtained non-exclusive rights to distribute current and new FlexmiR products and to sell Luminex(R) systems to laboratories around the world. In addition to signing this new agreement, the companies launched two more FlexmiR products, the FlexmiR MicroRNA Mouse/Rat Extension Panel and the FlexmiR MicroRNA Control Set.
"The FlexmiR product line that Luminex co-developed with Exiqon has proven to be a comprehensive, accurate and simple tool for microRNA analysis," said Patrick J. Balthrop, president and chief executive officer of Luminex. "We are looking forward to working further with Exiqon to bring new tools to scientists and researchers engaged in microRNA research. This agreement and the new products we are collaborating with Exiqon to create will allow Luminex to continue to expand our reach in this vital, emerging area of research."
In December 2006, Luminex and Exiqon launched FlexmiR, a new line of microRNA products that combines Luminex's flexible xMAP(R) technology and Exiqon's Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA(TM)) technology. The FlexmiR line delivers more data in less time than other assays and offers best in class specificity and a highly simplified workflow. FlexmiR can provide scientists and researchers more than 6,300 data points in four hours.
The newly launched FlexmiR MicroRNA Mouse/Rat Extension Panel extends the FlexmiR line of products to scientists who work in mouse or rat animal models as preliminary research before moving on to using banked human samples. The new FlexmiR MicroRNA Control Set offers researchers the ability to assess the integrity of their assays without bias from sample integrity. Both new products will help scientists and researchers in saving time and resources.
"FlexmiR is an important innovation in microRNA research, featuring unmatched specificity and efficiency," said Lars Kongsbak, president and chief executive officer of Exiqon. "We are delighted to launch these two new offerings and expand our partnership with Luminex. The ability to not only offer FlexmiR products to our customers, but to supply Luminex systems as well will allow us to reach a broader base of scientists and researchers. The agreement does not change Exiqon's financial outlook for 2007."
For more information on FlexmiR products, please visit www.luminexcorp.com/microRNA or www.exiqon.com/FlexmiR.
About Exiqon
Exiqon is a leading supplier of high-value gene expression analysis products for the life sciences, research and drug discovery industries. Exiqon's rapidly growing product offerings integrate innovative chemistries with web-based software tools to help scientists achieve rapid and reliable results. Exiqon markets its products directly on www.exiqon.com/ or through distributors in the EU and Asia, as well as through its new, dedicated US sales force. Exiqon is located in the Medicon Valley area of Copenhagen, Denmark and in Boston, USA. Please visit our web-site at www.exiqon.com/.
About Luminex
Luminex Corporation develops, manufactures and markets proprietary biological testing technologies with applications throughout the life sciences industry. The Company's xMAP(R) system is an open-architecture, multi-analyte technology platform that delivers fast, accurate and cost-effective bioassay results to markets as diverse as pharmaceutical drug discovery, clinical diagnostics and biomedical research, including the genomics and proteomics research markets. The Company's xMAP technology is sold worldwide and is already in use in leading research laboratories as well as major pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotechnology companies. Further information on Luminex Corporation or xMAP can be obtained at http://www.luminexcorp.com/.
Source: Luminex Corporation
CONTACT: Dr. Lars Kongsbak, President & CEO of Exiqon, +45 45 65 04 50,
+45 40 90 21 01, lk@exiqon.com
Web site: http://www.luminexcorp.com/
http://www.exiqon.com/
http://www.luminexcorp.com/microRNA
http://www.exiqon.com/FlexmiR
