QIAGEN N.V.
(NASDAQ: QGEN; Frankfurt, Prime Standard: QIA) today announced that it has
acquired ESE GmbH, a privately held developer and manufacturer of UV and
fluorescence optical measurement devices. ESE is based in Stockach, Germany.
The transaction is valued at up to US$19 million in cash.
ESE has pioneered the development and manufacturing of optical
measurement systems for medical and industrial applications. The systems
utilize unique, high-performance and award-winning fluorescence detection
technologies integrated into compact modules. ESE's solutions are considered
as an emerging standard for the detection of fluorescent signals in a wide
range of molecular testing applications, most notably in nucleic acid-based
point-of-need testing. In addition to portable solutions for point-of-need
testing, these miniaturized, low-cost fluorescence detection modules can be
integrated in laboratory instruments as well.
The systems' "ultra-fast time to result" and high portability open new
opportunities in healthcare and applied testing (e.g. veterinary, food,
environmental, biodefense testing), enabling low-throughput molecular testing
in practices, emergency rooms, remote field areas, and other settings where a
laboratory infrastructure is not accessible and fast turnaround is required.
ESE's fluorescence detection systems can be battery operated, process up to
eight samples at a time and even permit testing of samples for several
parameters in a single run (multiplex testing). As the proprietary technology
allows for the detection modules to be manufactured at very low cost, the
complete solutions can sell for less than US$2,000 per unit - significantly
below the price of other comparable testing systems.
QIAGEN has demonstrated that ESE's fluorescence detection systems can be
used to measure signals generated by the Company's existing testing
technologies, including the HDA and tHDA isothermal assay systems, which
QIAGEN has licensed from BioHelix in 2008
(http://www1.qiagen.com/about/pressreleases/PressReleaseView.aspx?PressReleass next generation screening platform QIAensemble. Therefore, assay
development for the fluorescence detection systems can benefit from ongoing
research activities for the QIAensemble platform.
QIAGEN has verified the ability of ESE's systems to run HDA-based assays
for several pathogens including Salmonella and E.coli bacteria as well as
Influenza viruses. Analysis can be performed directly on samples (i.e., from
crude blood) or following an upfront sample preparation step integrated into
the devices using QIAGEN's proven sample technologies. Depending on the
target, such assays can generate results in between 5 and 15 minutes. This
represents a key breakthrough allowing the platform to meet the most
important requirement in point-of-need testing: ultra-fast time to result.
The transaction contributes to QIAGEN's strategy of expanding its
technology leadership and of driving the dissemination of molecular sample
and assay technologies into everyday life. It not only adds a novel detection
platform to QIAGEN's portfolio of assay technologies, but also creates
options for point-of-need test solutions in select markets. QIAGEN plans to
develop and offer such solutions for a broad range of molecular diagnostic
segments in Europe, Latin America and Asia. In the United States, QIAGEN
intends to focus on select application fields such as acute care (emergency
rooms, mobile testing) and critical care areas where rapid turnaround and/or
portable solutions are required. These segments generally do not overlap with
QIAGEN's current markets in the United States in terms of customers and assay
menu. QIAGEN expects its first submissions for regulatory approval of
corresponding assays to take place following the launch of clinical systems
after 2011. In the developing world, QIAGEN sees a significant opportunity
for the technology to expand its offering in infectious disease testing with
point-of-need options. Together with PATH and the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation, QIAGEN has already developed a version of its HPV test for public
health programs in low-resource & developing countries
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