Bayer Healthcare, Diagnostics (Tarrytown, NY) And Hamilton Company Enter Development And Supply Agreement For Kinetic PCR System

RENO, Nev., and TARRYTOWN, N.Y., July 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Bayer HealthCare LLC, Diagnostics Division, a member of the Bayer Group and Hamilton Company announced today that Bayer will purchase a customized version of Hamilton's STARlet sample preparation system as part of the development of a new platform for performing molecular diagnostics tests worldwide.

Under the terms of the agreement, Hamilton will work with Bayer to develop a customized Microlab STAR IVD automated pipetting platform to meet the requirements of Bayer's kinetic Polyermase Chain Reaction (kPCR) technology. Bayer's kPCR system will be an addition to Bayer's Molecular product portfolio and, in combination with the expanding bDNA technology and genomics products, will contribute to the growing portfolio of molecular solutions to meet varied customer needs in both larger and smaller laboratories.

"Bayer's aim is to bring a new and innovative turn-key automation solution to the in-vitro diagnostics market," said Tony Bihl, President, Bayer Diagnostics. "We are confident that with Hamilton's cutting-edge technology, we will further meet our clinical needs in this arena."

"Hamilton has developed multiple proprietary technologies to meet the challenging technical and regulatory requirements of the in-vitro diagnostics market. Bayer's choice in a partner confirms the market value of these developments," said Scott Eaton, Director of OEM Robotics, Hamilton Company.

Kinetic PCR (also known as quantitative PCR) is the most widely used technology for molecular diagnostics testing, which is estimated to be a $1.5 billion marketplace. Molecular testing has improved the process of detecting the presence of agents that cause both viral and non-viral infectious diseases as well as detecting biomarkers which may determine pre-disposition to diseases or predict therapeutic responses. Using nucleic acid-based diagnostics for the detection of DNA or RNA, clinical laboratories can deliver results within hours, allowing patients to receive appropriate treatment faster than with traditional testing methods. The greater sensitivity of kinetic PCR testing methods allows for the detection of microorganisms even when present in very low concentrations.

About Hamilton Company

Hamilton Company is the worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of manual, semi-automated and robotic products for precision fluid measuring. For nearly 50 years, Hamilton has been satisfying customer needs by combining quality materials with skilled workmanship, ensuring the highest level of performance of every precision fluid measuring device we manufacture. Hamilton's lifelong commitment to precision, accuracy, and quality has earned us global ISO 9001 Certification.

About Bayer HealthCare, Diagnostics Division

Bayer HealthCare Diagnostics Division is one of the world's market leaders in diagnostics for critical and intensive care, hematology, DCA (hemoglobin A1C), urinalysis, immunology, clinical chemistry and molecular testing.

With operations in more than 100 countries, Bayer Diagnostics offers an extensive portfolio of diagnostic systems, point of care testing, molecular diagnostics, laboratory automation and productivity solutions and services to hospitals and health care organizations, laboratories and physician's offices across the world.

Bayer Diagnostics' extensive portfolio covers a myriad of congenital and acquired disease states, including: allergy, anemia, autoimmune disorders, cardiopulmonary care, cardiovascular/heart, diabetes, fertility, infectious diseases, HIV/AIDS, urinary tract infections, kidney and metabolic function, thyroid functions, oncology and virology, as well as immunosuppressant therapy and therapeutic drug monitoring .

Bayer HealthCare Diagnostics Division global headquarters are based in Tarrytown, New York, U.S.A, and operate as part of Bayer HealthCare LLC.

This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in our public reports filed with the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including our Form 20-F). The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

CONTACT: Susan Oelerking, Bayer HealthCare, +1-914-366-1807,susan.oelerking.b@bayer.com; Jim Salika, Hamilton Company, 1-800-648-5950,ext. 224, jsalika@hamiltoncompany.com

Web site: http://www.bayerdiag.com/