Luminex Announces Collaboration With University of Sao Paulo To Validate Zika Virus Detection Panel

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Luminex Corporation (NASDAQ: LMNX) today announced it is collaborating with the Laboratory of Molecular Evolution & Bioinformatics, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of São Paulo, Brazil to validate a multi-analyte Zika virus assay developed by Luminex partner, GenArraytion, Inc. The MultiFLEX Mosquito-borne Panel is now available as a research use only (RUO) multiplex panel designed to detect multiple disease agents, including the Zika virus. Luminex is an exclusive distributor of GenArraytion's MultiFLEX Bioassays.

The MultiFLEX Mosquito-borne Panel is a qualitative nucleic acid assay that uses the Luminex® 100/200 or MAGPIX® instrument to simultaneously test for a broad array of the most common mosquito-borne disease agents, including: Zika virus (4 genetic targets); Chikungunya virus; Dengue virus (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4); West Nile virus; Yellow Fever virus; and Plasmodium falciparum. Luminex is providing a MAGPIX fluorescent detection system while partnering with GenArraytion to provide test kits for the University of São Paulo to validate the assay with clinical samples. 

"As a leader in multiplex assays for infectious diseases, we are pleased to collaborate with the distinguished Biomedical Sciences Institute at the University of São Paulo. We believe this collaboration will help ensure our innovative multi-target mosquito-borne panel is ready to aid researchers in rapidly identifying clinical samples from people who may be infected with the Zika virus, or other mosquito-borne diseases," said Nachum "Homi" Shamir, president and CEO of Luminex Corporation. "All of my Luminex colleagues across the globe share a concern for those affected by the rise in mosquito-borne disease. In addition, we will begin shipping this unique, first-to-market MultiFLEX Mosquito-borne Panel to health care researchers in areas of greatest immediate need in South America, Central America and the Caribbean."

"The multiplex molecular panel will greatly aid our survey efforts to identify not only Zika virus but also concurrent epidemics we are now experiencing in Brazil such as Chikingunya. The MAGPIX platform also has the flexibility to develop and perform Zika-specific serological assays to survey exposed population and establish case-controlled cohorts of pregnant women," said Paolo Zanotto, Professor, Department of Microbiology, Laboratory of Molecular Evolution & Bioinformatics, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of São Paulo.

Reports of Zika virus infection are rising rapidly; The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 3 to 4 million people across the Americas will be infected with the virus in the next year. Infection has corresponded to a rise in birth defects (microcephaly, Guillain-Barré syndrome and eye abnormalities) in areas affected by Zika. The virus is transmitted mainly by daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes, such as A. aegypti, the same mosquito that spreads Chikungunya and Dengue Viruses. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Zika virus a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) elevated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activation to Level 1 in preparation for the Zika virus outbreak.

About Luminex Corporation
Luminex is committed to applying its passion for innovation toward creating breakthrough solutions to improve health and advance science. The company is transforming global healthcare and life-science research through the development, manufacturing and marketing of proprietary instruments and assays utilizing xMAP® open-architecture multi-analyte platform, MultiCode® real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and multiplex PCR-based technologies, that deliver cost-effective rapid results to clinicians and researchers. Luminex's technology is commercially available worldwide and in use in leading clinical laboratories, as well as major pharmaceutical, diagnostic, biotechnology and life-science companies. Luminex is meeting the needs of customers in markets as diverse as clinical diagnostics, pharmaceutical drug discovery, biomedical research including genomic and proteomic research, personalized medicine, biodefense research and food safety. For further information on Luminex Corporation and the latest advances in multiplexing using award winning technology, please visit http://www.luminexcorp.com/.

About GenArraytion
Based in Rockville, Md., GenArraytion, Inc. is a privately held, veteran-owned, small business dedicated to the development and commercialization of multiplexed molecular assays for infectious diseases. GenArraytion is dedicated to improving healthcare through the development and distribution of treatment-guiding molecular assays for infectious disease markets, environmental and epidemiological applications, and veterinary and biodefense markets. GenArraytion MultiFLEX Bioassays improve infection prevention, response and treatment. In 2015, GenArraytion announced a manufacturing license agreement with Chemring Detection Systems, Inc. for the US DOD Joint Biological Tactical Detection System and delivery of panels for more than 65 infectious disease targets of US military concern in support of the Global Biosurveillance Technology Initiative. For more information, visit www.genarraytion.com or email pschaudies@genarraytion.com.

Statements made in this release that express Luminex's or management's intentions, plans, beliefs, expectations or predictions of future events are forward-looking statements. Forward- looking statements in this release include statements regarding the development and testing progress of our pipeline products, and the regulatory approvals thereof. The words "believe", "expect", "intend", "anticipates", "confident", "will", "could", "should",  and similar expressions are intended to further identify such forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. It is important to note that the Company's actual results or performance could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause Luminex's actual results or performance to differ materially include risks and uncertainties relating to, among others, our ability to launch products on time, the timing of regulatory approvals, the outcome of clinical trials as well as the risks discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Luminex's Reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward looking statements contained herein represent the judgment of Luminex as of the date of this press release, and Luminex expressly disclaims any intent, obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in Luminex's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.

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SOURCE Luminex Corporation; GenArraytion