LONDON, February 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan has conferred the 2006 Technology Innovation & Leadership of the Year Award on Genaco Biomedical Products Inc. and Luminex Corporation in the European molecular diagnostics market. In presenting this Award, Frost & Sullivan recognises the contribution the companies have made to infectious disease testing with their TEMPLEX technology. TEMPLEX is a multiplexing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology that provides rapid, cost-effective and accurate detection and diagnosis of infectious diseases.
"The ability to identify future market needs combined with the development of in-house, ground-breaking technologies, especially infectious disease testing, positions Genaco and Luminex as pioneers in molecular diagnostics," notes Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Arun A.K.
Infectious disease testing is a sector with significant potential and is the key area of focus in molecular diagnosis because of the escalating incidence rates of infectious diseases worldwide. While several companies are developing multiplex PCR assays for diagnosis, Genaco and Luminex stand ahead of the competition in the infectious disease testing market with their proprietary TEMPLEX technology, which combines Genaco's Tem-PCR technology and Luminex's xMAP technology.
Genaco's Tem-PCR is a proprietary multiplex PCR technology that allows for specific and sensitive amplification of multiple molecular targets in a single reaction tube. Luminex's xMAP multiplexing technology is a unique combination of flow cytometry, microspheres, lasers, digital signal processing and traditional chemistry that can be configured to perform a wide variety of bioassays quickly, cost-effectively and accurately.
Together as TEMPLEX, these technologies enable quicker, more cost-effective and accurate detection and diagnosis of infectious diseases. Where traditional testing methods require a separate test for individual antibodies, TEMPLEX allows multiple antibodies or other proteins to be tested at one time, which aids in providing specific and effective treatment against a particular pathogen.
"TEMPLEX represents a perfect blend of technology aimed at revolutionising the infectious disease testing market," states Mr. Arun. "It can amplify 20 different molecular mutations and multiplex 100 assays simultaneously within a single sample."
With TEMPLEX, up to 20 different tests can be performed simultaneously, resulting in 20 test results at the cost of, and within the time of, a single test. While there is a minimal increase in the reagent cost, TEMPLEX tests provide fast and accurate results at a competitive price, when compared to other available tests in the market.
Several reference laboratories have benefited from the fast and accurate results obtained from TEMPLEX. After creating an initial niche in the research market, Genaco and Luminex are now set to enter the diagnostic laboratories market and commercialise TEMPLEX in the IVD sector.
Genaco was acquired in October 2006 by QIAGEN N.V., a leading provider of innovative technologies and products for pre-analytical sample preparation and molecular diagnostics solutions. QIAGEN will leverage the TEMPLEX technology to provide new and innovative molecular diagnostics solutions to its customers in clinical research, applied testing and molecular diagnostics.
Luminex's xMAP technology is currently being used in various areas including clinical diagnostics and drug discovery. The company is actively involved in developing 400-plex from its current 100-plex to meet the growing demands of a research laboratory. xMAP has been adopted by major companies developing new diagnostic kits in the IVD market, including Bio-Rad, QIAGEN, One Lambda, Tepnel Lifecodes, and Abbott Molecular.
The Frost & Sullivan Award for Technology Innovation & Leadership of the Year is bestowed each year upon the company that has demonstrated excellence in technology innovation and leadership within their industry. The recipient company has demonstrated technology leadership by excelling in all stages of the technology life cycle-incubation, adaptation, take-up and maturity-to ensure a continuous flow of improvements. By innovating leading-edge concepts the company has pioneered client applications.
Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognise companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.
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Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. For more information, visit www.frost.com.
Anna Lay Promotions Co-ordinator, Best Practices Frost & Sullivan DDI: +49-(0)-69-77-0-33-12 mailto:anna.lay@frost.com
Frost & SullivanCONTACT: Anna Lay, Promotions Co-ordinator, Best Practices, Frost &Sullivan, DDI: +49-(0)-69-77-0-33-12, mailto:anna.lay@frost.com
