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PreAnalytiX and Affymetrix Collaborate to Improve Gene Expression Results from
Whole Blood RNA Samples
Collaboration will optimize PreAnalytiX PAXgene(TM) Blood RNA System for use
with Affymetrix GeneChip(R) technology
HOMBRECHTIKON, Switzerland, and SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 31
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PreAnalytiX GmbH, a joint venture between QIAGEN N.V.
and BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) and Affymetrix Inc., announced today
that they have entered into a collaboration to optimize the PreAnalytiX
PAXgene(TM) Blood RNA System for use with Affymetrix GeneChip(R) technology to
improve gene expression profile results on RNA extracted from whole blood.
The goal of the collaboration will be to develop improved methods for the use of
PreAnalytiX technology with GeneChip expression analysis arrays. Whole blood is
one of the most common samples used in clinical research, however, expression
profiling on whole blood samples presents considerable technical challenges.
Different whole blood preparation methods and the high relative concentration of
globin RNA found in red blood cells can lead to changes in expression profiles
ex vivo. Globin RNA can mask the RNA found in the transcriptionally active cells
of interest in the white blood cell fraction, including the lymphocytes and
moncytes. Affymetrix and PreAnalytiX will work together under this non-exclusive
agreement to reduce variability in the preparation processes and decrease the
signal contributed by globin RNA.
The PreAnalytiX PAXgene(TM) Blood RNA System has set a new standard for
stabilizing whole blood cellular RNA profiles at the time of blood collection in
an evacuated blood collection tube. This enables researchers and clinicians to
perform more accurate analysis of gene expression profiles without the
variations caused by sample collection, storage, transport or fractionation
while relying on highly standardized and proven sample collection principles.
"We are pleased that Affymetrix and PreAnalytiX are joining forces to pursue a
new standard for microarray analyses from stabilized whole blood samples," said
PreAnalytiX“ Vice President Frank A. Augello. "We see a strong market trend
towards the use of native sample material, like whole blood, that has the
original information preserved to enable the accurate application of molecular
test methods, such as gene expression profiling. By combining PreAnalytiX and
Affymetrix technologies, our goal is to develop a complete, standardized process
for expression profiling starting from whole blood samples."
"Many of our industrial and academic customers are doing clinical research and
early stage clinical trials using our whole genome GeneChip arrays such as the
recently announced Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 Array," said Affymetrix' Chief
Commercial Officer Trevor J. Nicholls, Ph.D. "Whole blood is the most readily
available tissue for biomarker analysis. We expect that by collaborating with
PreAnalytiX, which has the market-leading product for whole blood stabilization
and preparation, we can develop and provide an improved solution for our
customers that will maximize their ability to find gene signatures of biological
relevance."
About PreAnalytiX GmbH:
The purpose of PreAnalytiX GmbH, a Swiss-based joint venture between BD (Becton,
Dickinson and Company) and QIAGEN N.V., is to develop, manufacture, and market
integrated systems for the collection, stabilization, and purification of
nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) for molecular diagnostic testing. The first product
from PreAnalytiX, the PAXgene(TM) Blood RNA System, was launched in April 2001,
followed by additional products during 2002 and 2003.Additional information on
PreAnalytiX can be found under http://www.preanalytix.com/.
About Affymetrix:
Affymetrix is a pioneer in creating breakthrough tools that are driving the
genomic revolution. By applying the principles of semiconductor technology to
the life sciences, Affymetrix develops and commercializes systems that enable
scientists to improve the quality of life. The Company's customers include
pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agrichemical, diagnostics and consumer products
companies as well as academic, government and other non-profit research
institutes. Affymetrix offers an expanding portfolio of integrated products and
services, including its integrated GeneChip platform, to address growing markets
focused on understanding the relationship between genes and human health.
Additional information on Affymetrix can be found at
http://www.affymetrix.com/.
Certain of the statements contained in this news release may be considered
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S.
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. To the extent that any of the statements
contained herein relating to QIAGEN's, BD's or PreAnalytiX' products and markets
and operating results are forward-looking, such statements are based on current
expectations of their respective managements, which expectations involve a
number of uncertainties and risks. Such uncertainties and risks include, but are
not limited to, risks associated with the challenges of integrating
newly-acquired businesses and technologies into existing operations, management
of growth and international operations (including the effects of currency
fluctuations), variability of operating results, the commercial development of
the DNA sequencing and genomics market, and the nucleic acid based molecular
diagnostics market, competition, rapid or unexpected changes in technologies,
product development risks, the ability to gain market acceptance of such
products and fluctuations in demand for such products (including seasonal
fluctuations), difficulties in successfully adapting such products to integrated
solutions and producing such products, the ability to identify and develop new
products and to differentiate such products from competitors, and uncertainties
of government regulation. For further information with respect to QIAGEN, refer
to the discussion in reports that QIAGEN has filed with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC). Reference is also made to the other risks and
uncertainties detailed from time to time in BD's filings with the SEC. QIAGEN,
BD and PreAnalytiX do not intend to update any forward-looking statements.
DATASOURCE: Affymetrix Inc.; QIAGEN N.V.
CONTACT: Peer M. Schatz, Chief Financial Officer, +49-2103-29-11702,
, or Dr. Solveigh Mahler, Manager, Investor Relations,
+49-2103-29-11710, , both of QIAGEN N.V.; Frank
Augello, Vice President of PreAnalytiX GmbH, +1-201-847-4356,
; Wes Conard, Senior Manager, Public Relations,
+1-408-731-5791, , or Doug Farrell, Vice President
for Investor Relations, +1-408-731-5285, , both of
Affymetrix, Inc.