Exiqon and Asuragen sign agreement for real-time PCR services.


Exiqon A/S (NASDAQ OMX: “EXQ”), a leading supplier of high-value products for gene expression analysis, and Asuragen, Inc. a fully integrated molecular diagnostics company focused on oncology and companion diagnostics with special capabilities in the area of miRNA, today announced the signing of a Service Center Agreement, allowing Asuragen to provide real-time PCR services based on Exiqon’s miRCURY LNA™ Universal RT microRNA PCR products.

The Asuragen Genomic Services Division provides a comprehensive range of nucleic acid-based services from biomarker discovery to development of companion diagnostics (isolation/preparation from multiple sample types, genomic profiling, miRNA/mRNA expression profiling, assay development and validation, CLIA-based clinical trial testing, bioinformatics, and regulatory services).

LNA™-based microRNA real-time PCR profiling holds great promise as a non-invasive way to discover important new biomarkers for a wide range of diseases and biological processes. Exiqon’s microRNA real-time PCR system combines a Universal RT reaction with LNA™-enhanced PCR primers, which results in unmatched sensitivity and specificity for all sample types.

”Exiqon’s high quality microRNA PCR products allow us to further expand our service offerings to meet the needs of our pharmaceutical and diagnostic partners”, said Carol Berry, Sr. Vice President & GM of Asuragen Genomic Services Division.

In a comment, Sr. VP Sales & Marketing, Henrik Pfundheller of Exiqon said: “We are honored and excited to support Asuragen on the discovery of novel microRNA biomarkers” and added: “Asuragen are experts in their own right in the field of microRNA and this is a great opportunity for us to expand our presence in the U.S. market.”

Additional information from Asuragen
Carol Berry, Sr. VP & GM, Genomic Services, tel. 1 512 681 5200, cberry@asuragen.com

Additional information from Exiqon
Lars Kongsbak, CEO, tel. +45 4566 0888 (cell: +45 4090 2101)
Henrik M. Pfundheller, Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing, tel. +45 4565 0420
(cell: +45 4090 2106)


Attachments

PressRelease_Asuragen_130610.pdf