Affymetrix, Inc. (NASDAQ:AFFX) and Leica Microsystems are pleased to announce a world-wide collaboration that automates Affymetrix' QuantiGene® ViewRNA ISH Tissue Assay on the Leica BOND RX staining platform for research applications. This partnership provides researchers with a powerful automated everyday solution for drug-discovery, translational research, and the development of new companion diagnostic tests for personalized medicine by significantly reducing assay time for single-copy RNA in situ hybridization (ISH) analysis.
“We are excited by this partnership with Leica as it unlocks the true potential of single-copy RNA analysis and we believe it will accelerate the discovery of important new drugs and the validation of novel companion tests.”
The highly-sensitive QuantiGene® ViewRNA ISH Tissue Assay assists drug discovery and translation research by enabling researchers to measure RNA expression directly in a tissue section at single-copy sensitivity. Over one thousand standard probes are already available and it only takes a few days to produce a customized probe for a new gene target. The Leica BOND RX system automates the staining process bringing all the benefits of consistency, reduced labor, and speed. This means researchers can now have access to same-day assay completion and, with a standardized staining protocol, rapid set-up for any probe.
George Bers, Vice President and General Manager of Expression Business Unit - Panomics at Affymetrix states that: "We are excited by this partnership with Leica as it unlocks the true potential of single-copy RNA analysis and we believe it will accelerate the discovery of important new drugs and the validation of novel companion tests."