Luminex and Abbott Sign Agreement for Global Distribution of the xTAG(TM) Respiratory Viral Panel

  
    
  
  
    
      Luminex Molecular Diagnostics, a division of Luminex Corporation 
      (NASDAQ: LMNX), the worldwide leader in multiplexing solutions, has 
      signed a global sales and distribution agreement with Abbott’s 
      (NYSE: ABT) molecular diagnostics business. Under the terms of the 
      agreement, Abbott will have exclusive rights to distribute Luminex’s 
      new xTAGTM Respiratory Viral Panel (RVP) 
      worldwide outside the United States and semi-exclusive rights in the 
      United States.
    
    
      Based on Luminex’s xMAP® 
      multiplexing technology, xTAG RVP was created by Luminex Molecular 
      Diagnostics, in partnership with a team of leading virologists and 
      infectious disease specialists. In a matter of hours from a single 
      patient sample, the test allows doctors to detect the presence or 
      absence of several viruses and subtypes at once.
    
    
      “We believe that xTAG RVP has the potential to 
      significantly impact the detection, treatment, and control of 
      respiratory viruses worldwide,” said Douglas 
      Bryant, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Luminex. “Abbott’s 
      long-standing dedication to improve the quality of human health, 
      combined with their global customer base, will make them a strong 
      partner in bringing xTAG RVP to more physicians, public health 
      authorities and patients around the world.”
    
    
      xTAG RVP received 510(k) clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug 
      Administration in January 2008, and became CE marked for sale in Europe 
      in November 2006.
    
    
      In the United States, xTAG RVP has been cleared to detect 12 viruses and 
      viral subtypes:
    
    
      
        Adenovirus
      
      
        Influenza A (all subtypes)
      
      
        Influenza A H1
      
      
        Influenza A H3
      
      
        Influenza B
      
      
        Metapneumovirus
      
      
        Parainfluenza 1
      
      
        Parainfluenza 2
      
      
        Parainfluenza 3
      
      
        Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) A
      
      
        Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) B
      
      
        Rhinovirus
      
    
    
      In Europe, xTAG RVP is certified to detect and identify 20 viruses and 
      viral subtypes – including the targets above, 
      plus:
    
    
      
        Corona Virus 229E
      
      
        Corona Virus HKU1
      
      
        Corona Virus NL63
      
      
        Corona Virus OC43
      
      
        Enterovirus
      
      
        Influenza A H5
      
      
        Parainfluenza 4
      
      
        SARS
      
    
    
      For more information on the xTAG RVP, please visit www.luminexcorp.com/rvp.
    
    
      About Luminex Corporation
    
    
      Luminex Corporation develops, manufactures and markets proprietary 
      biological testing technologies with applications throughout the 
      diagnostic and life sciences industries. The Company's xMAP® 
      multiplex solutions include 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 clinical laboratories as well 
      as major pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotechnology companies. Further 
      information on Luminex Corporation or xMAP technology can be obtained at www.luminexcorp.com.