QIAGEN N.V. and Celera Corporation (JOBS) Establish Distribution Agreement for Respiratory Pathogen Panel
VENLO, The Netherlands, and ALAMEDA, California -February 11, 2010 - QIAGEN N.V. and Celera Corporation (NASDAQ:CRA - News) today announced an agreement under which QIAGEN will distribute a Celera molecular multiplex assay. The assay is the next generation version of QIAGEN's ResPlex II assay for detection of respiratory pathogens. Multiplex assays allow testing for a multiple number of different pathogens in a single run. Financial details were not disclosed.
Under the terms of the agreement, QIAGEN has the exclusive worldwide rights to distribute this multiplex test kit, which will be manufactured by Celera. The new ResPlex assay detects 19 different pathogens associated with respiratory infections and is designed for use with LiquiChip (Luminex) 100 and 200 instrument platforms.
"Celera's significant experience in the development and manufacturing of molecular diagnostic products is a very valuable resource and this relationship can accelerate our effort to further expand our molecular diagnostic solution portfolio," said Peer Schatz, CEO of QIAGEN. "We believe that this new product has the potential to provide significant value for laboratories, healthcare professionals and patients worldwide."
"We are pleased to have entered into this agreement with QIAGEN as we look toward the development and marketing of a molecular diagnostic solution to address certain infectious respiratory diseases and provide our customers with a product of the highest quality," said Kathy Ordo?ez, CEO of Celera.
The new ResPlex kits will be available through QIAGEN's existing sales channels. The new test will be submitted for regulatory approval in the United States and Europe.
About QIAGEN:
QIAGEN N.V., a Netherlands holding company, is the leading global provider of sample and assay technologies. Sample technologies are used to isolate and process DNA, RNA and proteins from biological samples such as blood or tissue. Assay technologies are used to make such isolated bio-molecules visible. QIAGEN has developed and markets more than 500 sample and assay products as well as automated solutions for such consumables. The company provides its products to molecular diagnostics laboratories, academic researchers, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and applied testing customers for purposes such as forensics, animal or food testing and pharmaceutical process control. QIAGEN's assay technologies include one of the broadest panels of molecular diagnostic tests available worldwide. This panel includes the digene HPV Test, which is regarded as a "gold standard" in testing for high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV), the primary cause of cervical cancer, as well as a broad suite of solutions for infectious disease testing and companion diagnostics. QIAGEN employs more than 3,500 people in over 30 locations worldwide. Further information about QIAGEN can be found at http://www.qiagen.com/.
QIAGENSAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements, including statements about the new molecular multiplex assay and our products, markets and strategy. Such statements are based on current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, those associated with: management of growth and international operations (including currency fluctuations and logistics), variability of our operating results, commercial development of our markets (including applied testing, clinical and academic research, proteomics, women's health/HPV testing, molecular diagnostics, personalized healthcare and companion diagnostics), our relationships with customers, suppliers and strategic partners, competition, changes in technology, fluctuations in demand, regulatory requirements, identifying, developing and producing integrated products differentiated from our competitors' products, market acceptance of our products, and integration of acquired technologies and businesses. For further information, refer to our filings with the SEC, including our latest Form 20-F. Information in this release is as of the date of the release, and we undertake no duty to update this information unless required by law.
About Celera:
Celera is a healthcare business focusing on the integration of genetic testing into routine clinical care through a combination of products and services incorporating proprietary discoveries. Berkeley HeartLab, a subsidiary of Celera, offers services to predict cardiovascular disease risk and improve patient management. Celera also commercializes a wide range of molecular diagnostic products throughAbbott and has licensed other relevant diagnostic technologies developed to provide personalized disease management in cancer. Information about Celera Corporation, including reports and other information filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is available at http://www.celera.com.
Celera Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking. These may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "will," "should," "anticipate," "may," "could," and "intend," among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Celera's current expectations. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for such forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, Celera notes that a variety of factors could cause actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance, development, and results of our business include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties that: (1) the agreement with QIAGEN may be terminated; (2) the risk that the products contemplated by this agreement will not receive regulatory approvals; and (3) the uncertainty that any products will be accepted and adopted by the market, including the risk that that these products will not be competitive with tests offered by other companies. The foregoing list sets forth some, but not all, of the factors that could affect Celera's ability to achieve results described in any forward-looking statements. For additional information about the risks and uncertainties that Celera faces and a discussion of its financial statements and footnotes, see documents filed by Celera with the SEC, including its transition report on Form 10-KT and all subsequent periodic reports. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and Celera does not undertake any duty to update this information, including any forward-looking statements, unless required by law.
Contacts:
Investor Relations: Public Relations: Dr. Solveigh Maehler Dr. Thomas Theuringer Director Investor Relations Associate Director Public Relations QIAGEN N.V. QIAGEN GmbH +49 2103 29 11710 +49 2103 29 11826 e-mail: solveigh.maehler@qiagen.com e-mail: thomas.theuringer@qiagen.com
Albert F. Fleury Celera: Investor Relations North America Dr. David Speechly QIAGEN N.V. +1 510 749-1853 +1 301 944 7028 e-mail: David.Speechly@Celera.com e-mail: albert.fleury@qiagen.com