EraGen Biosciences Announces Luminex License and Distribution Agreement
EraGen expands the potential of MultiCode®-PLx Systems by
Expanding a Partnership with Luminex Corporation
(April 26, 2005 – Madison, Wisconsin) – EraGen Biosciences, a rapidly growing molecular diagnostics company driving early, accurate diagnosis for disease, announced today it has signed an expanded licensing and distribution agreement with Luminex Corporation (Nasdaq: LMNX), Austin, Texas.
“Our MultiCode-PLx product-line, built on the Luminex® 100 System, a laser-based fluorescent analytical test system, is one of the premier methods for the multiplexed detection of nucleic acids for clinical and research diagnostics. Our technology, in conjunction with the Luminex xMAP® technology creates the fastest and easiest way for CLIA laboratories, hospitals and universities to do automated, multiplexed detection in a one-well assay,” said Irene Hrusovsky, President and CEO of EraGen Biosciences.
Under the terms of the agreement, EraGen has the rights to distribute and sell Luminex 100 Systems and kits that include non-standard nucleic acid bases, proprietary to EraGen, designed for selected in vitro clinical diagnostic purposes.
“We believe the combination of EraGen’s proprietary chemistry and Luminex’s xMAP multiplex technology will be highly competitive in the diagnostics market place, particularly against monoplex alternatives,” said Greg Gosch, Luminex Vice President of Marketing. “We look forward to continuing to work with Eragen, a Gold sponsor at Luminex’s annual Planet xMAP users meeting this week in Austin, on commercialization of their upcoming product lines.”
The EraGen MultiCode-PLx System is a bead-based nucleic acid detection method that uses PCR in combination with target-specific primers to detect multiple targets in one well. The EraGen test delivers accurate results in hours eliminating tedious steps verses other methods which can take a week or more.
About EraGen Biosciences
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, EraGen Biosciences is driving innovative molecular diagnostics and drugs to market faster. The company develops and commercializes high performance automated molecular diagnostics and drug discovery products to serve the rapidly growing market for personalized medicine and rapid response needs for bioterrorism. Further information is available at www.eragen.com, or Regina Reynolds, Director Corporate Communications at 608-662-9000, ext 306.
About Luminex
Luminex Corporation develops, manufactures and markets proprietary biological testing technologies with applications throughout the life sciences industry. The Company’s xMAP(TM) 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 on the Internet at http://www.luminexcorp.com or by contacting Harriss T. Currie, Chief Financial Officer, at 512-219-8020 or at hcurrie@luminexcorp.com.
