AUSTIN, Texas & COPENHAGEN, Denmark, July 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Luminex Corporation , a leading provider of multiplex solutions, and Exiqon A/S (OMX: EXQ), a leading supplier of high-value gene expression analysis products, today announced the execution of a distribution agreement for the FlexmiR(TM) line of products co-developed by the companies in 2006. Under the terms of the agreement, Exiqon has obtained non-exclusive rights to distribute current and new FlexmiR products and to sell Luminex(R) systems to laboratories around the world. In addition to signing this new agreement, the companies launched two more FlexmiR products, the FlexmiR MicroRNA Mouse/Rat Extension Panel and the FlexmiR MicroRNA Control Set.
“The FlexmiR product line that Luminex co-developed with Exiqon has proven to be a comprehensive, accurate and simple tool for microRNA analysis,” said Patrick J. Balthrop, president and chief executive officer of Luminex. “We are looking forward to working further with Exiqon to bring new tools to scientists and researchers engaged in microRNA research. This agreement and the new products we are collaborating with Exiqon to create will allow Luminex to continue to expand our reach in this vital, emerging area of research.”
In December 2006, Luminex and Exiqon launched FlexmiR, a new line of microRNA products that combines Luminex’s flexible xMAP(R) technology and Exiqon’s Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA(TM)) technology. The FlexmiR line delivers more data in less time than other assays and offers best in class specificity and a highly simplified workflow. FlexmiR can provide scientists and researchers more than 6,300 data points in four hours.
The newly launched FlexmiR MicroRNA Mouse/Rat Extension Panel extends the FlexmiR line of products to scientists who work in mouse or rat animal models as preliminary research before moving on to using banked human samples. The new FlexmiR MicroRNA Control Set offers researchers the ability to assess the integrity of their assays without bias from sample integrity. Both new products will help scientists and researchers in saving time and resources.
“FlexmiR is an important innovation in microRNA research, featuring unmatched specificity and efficiency,” said Lars Kongsbak, president and chief executive officer of Exiqon. “We are delighted to launch these two new offerings and expand our partnership with Luminex. The ability to not only offer FlexmiR products to our customers, but to supply Luminex systems as well will allow us to reach a broader base of scientists and researchers. The agreement does not change Exiqon’s financial outlook for 2007.”
For more information on FlexmiR products, please visit http://www.luminexcorp.com/microRNA or http://www.exiqon.com/FlexmiR.
About Exiqon
Exiqon is a leading supplier of high-value gene expression analysis products for the life sciences, research and drug discovery industries. Exiqon’s rapidly growing product offerings integrate innovative chemistries with web-based software tools to help scientists achieve rapid and reliable results. Exiqon markets its products directly on http://www.exiqon.com or through distributors in the EU and Asia, as well as through its new, dedicated US sales force. Exiqon is located in the Medicon Valley area of Copenhagen, Denmark and in Boston, USA. Please visit our web-site at http://www.exiqon.com.
About Luminex
Luminex Corporation develops, manufactures and markets proprietary biological testing technologies with applications throughout the life sciences industry. The Company’s xMAP(R) system is an open-architecture, multi-analyte technology platform that delivers fast, accurate and cost-effective bioassay results to markets as diverse as pharmaceutical drug discovery, clinical diagnostics and biomedical research, including the genomics and proteomics research markets. The Company’s xMAP technology is sold worldwide and is already in use in leading research laboratories as well as major pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotechnology companies. Further information on Luminex Corporation or xMAP can be obtained at http://www.luminexcorp.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. The words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “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 or projected 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, market demand and acceptance of Luminex’s products, the Company’s dependence on strategic partners for development, commercialization and distribution of products, concentration of the Company’s revenue in a limited number of strategic partners, fluctuations in quarterly results due to a lengthy and unpredictable sales cycle and bulk purchases of consumables, Luminex’s ability to scale manufacturing operations and manage operating expenses, gross margins and inventory levels, potential shortages of components, competition, the timing of regulatory approvals, the implementation, including any modification, of the Company’s strategic operating plans, risks and uncertainties associated with implementing our acquisition strategy and the ability to integrate acquired companies, including Tm Bioscience Corporation, or selected assets into our consolidated business operations, including the ability to recognize the benefits of our acquisitions, 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.
Exiqon Contact: Dr. Lars Kongsbak President & CEO +45 45 65 04 50 +45 40 90 21 01 lk@exiqon.com Luminex Corporate Contact: Harriss T. Currie Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer 512-219-8020 hcurrie@luminexcorp.com Luminex Media Contact: Nicole L. Cottrill 615-327-7999 ncottrill@seig-pr.com
Luminex Corporation
CONTACT: Dr. Lars Kongsbak, President & CEO of Exiqon, +45 45 65 04 50,+45 40 90 21 01, lk@exiqon.com; Harriss T. Currie, Vice President, Financeand Chief Financial Officer of Luminex, +1-512-219-8020,hcurrie@luminexcorp.com; or Media, Nicole L. Cottrill, +1-615-327-7999,ncottrill@seig-pr.com, for Luminex
