Carlsbad, Calif., May 5, 2009 - Life Technologies Corporation, a provider of innovative life science solutions, today announced that it is helping to accelerate detection of Influenza A (H1N1) by providing instrument systems and other components to public health laboratories across the United States, enabling testing for the virus to now be conducted in all 50 states, consistent with CDC methods. The company is also working with public health agencies around the world to support World Health Organization and national testing methods.
Life Technologies is managing its response to agencies around the world through a 24-hour-a day task force, through which the company is able to communicate and respond to requests for instrumentation, reagents, service and support. The company has also increased manufacturing capacity to respond to the increased demand for additional testing capability.
The company’s Applied Biosystems 7500 Fast Dx Real-Time PCR Instrument and the research-use-only marketed Applied Biosystems 7500 Fast Real-time PCR System are being used as part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Emergency Use Authorization for use with the Influenza A (H1N1) virus Real-time RT-PCR Detection Panel for the presumptive diagnosis of the virus. Other Life Technologies products essential to the workflow that enables the identification of the virus include: MagMAX™ Viral RNA Isolation Kits for RNA purification; SuperScript® III Platinum® One-Step qRT-PCR kits for amplification of viral RNA; TaqMan® Influenza A Detection Kit 2.0 for initial influenza type A screening; and several different capillary electrophoresis DNA sequencing systems for determining the base-by-base sequence of viral samples. “The outbreak of Influenza A (H1N1) continues to be a rapidly evolving public health issue with potential global implications,” said Scott Becker, Executive Director of the Association of Public Health Laboratories. “Life Technologies’ efforts to help us to expand testing capabilities throughout the United States and with partners abroad have been critical during the important start-up phase as we’re working to understand and mitigate the impact of this virus.”
Mark Stevenson, President and Chief Operating Officer for Life Technologies added: “This continues to be a critical public health issue on a global scale. Life Technologies is committed to doing everything possible to help accelerate testing by involving every part of our organization that includes manufacturing, supply chain, regulatory affairs and our global services team to effectively respond to the increasing number of requests we’re receiving for support in managing this situation.”
About Life Technologies
Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:LIFE) is a global biotechnology tools company dedicated to improving the human condition. Our systems, consumables and services enable researchers to accelerate scientific exploration, driving to discoveries and developments that make life even better. Life Technologies customers do their work across the biological spectrum, working to advance personalized medicine, regenerative science, molecular diagnostics, agricultural and environmental research, and 21st century forensics. Life Technologies had sales of more than $3 billion in 2008, employs approximately 9,500 people, has a presence in more than 100 countries, and possesses a rapidly growing intellectual property estate of approximately 3,600 patents and exclusive licenses. Life Technologies was created by the combination of Invitrogen Corporation and Applied Biosystems Inc. For more information on how we are making a difference please visit our website: www.lifetechnologies.com.
Life Technologies’ and its affiliates’ products are intended for research use only.
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