Asuragen, Inc. Signs Armored RNA(R) Licensing Agreement with Focus Diagnostics, Inc.

AUSTIN, Texas & CYPRESS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Asuragen, Inc., announces that it has granted Focus Diagnostics, Inc., the infectious disease diagnostics company of Quest Diagnostics, non-exclusive worldwide rights to incorporate Armored RNA® technology into its in vitro molecular diagnostics products. Under the terms of the Agreement, Asuragen will develop and supply reagents for Focus Diagnostics in Asuragen’s QSR-compliant manufacturing facility. Additional terms were not disclosed.

Armored RNA® is a technology jointly invented and developed by Asuragen and Cenetron Diagnostics for the packaging of RNA or DNA in bacteriophage coat proteins for protection and stabilization. The Armored RNA® technology encapsulates RNA standards in a protective protein coat, assuring their integrity during long-term storage. It also “armors” the RNA standard against the hazards of nucleases in patient samples. RNA standards are essential to quantitative molecular diagnostic assays, and maintaining their integrity is crucial to obtaining accurate, reliable results. Asuragen recently released Armored RNA® Quant™, the next generation of quantitative standards. Armored RNA® Quant™ contains a precisely quantified copy number of a specific target and is referenced to a National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) traceable phosphate standard. Armored RNA® Quant™ can be used to construct standard curves for quantitation and as an internal quantitative sample calibrator for infectious disease and oncology testing.

“We’re pleased Focus Diagnostics has chosen to incorporate Armored RNA® into its molecular diagnostic assays. This Agreement reinforces the continued evolution of Armored RNA® standards and controls into an industry standard,” said Matt Winkler, Ph.D., CEO and CSO, Asuragen, Inc.

About Asuragen, Inc.

Asuragen is a fully integrated molecular diagnostics company focused on molecular oncology and early detection of cancer with emphasis on microRNA. Asuragen’s current diagnostic product portfolio consists of Signature® Genetic Testing and Oncology Testing products as well as industry leading controls and standards engineered with its patented Armored RNA® technology. Asuragen is empowered with a high level of scientific expertise and assay development along with a well developed business infrastructure, GLP and clinical laboratory testing services and an established cGMP manufacturing facility that allow it to span the spectrum of discovery, testing, production and commercialization. Asuragen is dedicated to developing new technologies that will become cutting edge clinical products. More information is available at the Company’s website: www.asuragen.com.

About Cenetron Diagnostics

Cenetron Diagnostics is a clinical reference laboratory that specializes in molecular diagnosis of infectious diseases and genotyping assays and supports pharmaceutical industry-sponsored clinical trials.

Contact:

Asuragen, Inc., Austin Cindy WalkerPeach, Ph.D., 512-681-5200 Director, Corporate Business Development cwalkerpeach@asuragen.com or Lori Brisbin, 512-681-5200 Global Director of Sales and Marketing lbrisbin@asuragen.com www.asuragen.com or Quest Diagnostics, parent company of Focus Diagnostics Wendy Bost, 973-520-2850 External Communications Wendy.H.Bost@questdiagnostics.com www.focusdx.com

Source: Asuragen, Inc.