Luminex and Exiqon Introduce MicroRNA Product Line

FlexmiR(TM) Provides Researchers Comprehensive MicroRNA Analysis With Unmatched Specificity and Efficiency, Providing More Than 6,300 Data Points in 4 Hours 


AUSTIN, Texas and COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Dec. 18  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Luminex Corporation (NASDAQ:LMNX), a leading multiplex solution developer, and Exiqon A/S, a leading supplier of high-value gene expression analysis products, today announced the launch of FlexmiR, a new line of microRNA products that can provide more than 6,300 data points in just four hours. Developed by Exiqon A/S in collaboration with the Luminex Bioscience Group (LBG), FlexmiR combines Luminex's flexible xMAP(R) technology and Exiqon's Locked Nucleic Acid(TM) (LNA) technology to deliver more data in less time than other assays, best in class specificity and highly simplified workflow.

MicroRNAs are a class of regulatory ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules that affect gene regulation.  Discovered less than a decade ago, microRNAs may regulate as much as one third of all genes in the genome and influence a wide range of biological activities and cellular processes.  Scientists are finding that various diseases and conditions are associated with specific microRNA patterns, which may lead to the development of targeted treatments, such as gene therapy.

"MicroRNA research has great promise, and may be the backbone of many of the most cutting-edge medical therapies of tomorrow. Already microRNAs are of high interest to researchers engaged in the fights against a range of cancers, viral infections, and diseases such as diabetes," said Patrick J. Balthrop, president and chief executive officer of Luminex. "FlexmiR provides researchers with a comprehensive, yet simple and highly accurate means to profile microRNA.  There are no other technologies available today that offer the same level of comprehensive analysis with the speed and specificity that FlexmiR provides. This is a very exciting development for Luminex, our partners and the scientists who will use FlexmiR."

The FlexmiR Human and FlexmiR Mouse/Rat panels give researchers the ability to measure the expression of microRNA sequences from the public miRBase database using total RNA samples without the need for RNA size fractionation or amplification.  The general flow of the FlexmiR products allow researchers to biotinylate the 3' end of total RNA, followed by a hybridization step where the labeled miRNA hybridizes specifically to LNA capture probes coupled to xMAP microspheres. The detection of the biotinylated miRNA is achieved by the reaction with Streptavidin-Phycoerythrin (SA-PE) and final read of the samples in a standard 96-well plate on a Luminex analyzer.

Luminex created the LBG in 2005 in response to market demand for multiplexed solutions in emerging bio-assay applications. The group's goal is to identify key assay development opportunities and provide effective solutions to Luminex partners and customers.  The LBG launched its first assay, a pneumococcal immunity panel, in October 2006.

"Exiqon has been engaged in the microRNA field for the past three years and is committed to provide the best microRNA research products for scientists," said Lars Kongsbak, president and chief executive officer of Exiqon. "With the FlexmiR product series our highly specific microRNA detection chemistries are available to users of the Luminex analyzers, which is an important strategic accomplishment for Exiqon."

About Exiqon

Exiqon is a leading supplier of high-value gene expression analysis products for the life sciences, research and drug discovery industries. Exiqon's rapidly growing product offerings integrate innovative chemistries with web-based software tools to help scientists achieve rapid and reliable results. Exiqon markets its products directly on http://www.exiqon.com/ or through distributors in the EU and Asia, as well as through its new, dedicated US sales force. Exiqon is located in the Medicon Valley area of Copenhagen, Denmark and in Boston, USA. Please visit our web-site at http://www.exiqon.com/.

About Luminex

Luminex Corporation develops, manufactures and markets proprietary biological testing technologies with applications throughout the life sciences industry. The Company's xMAP(R) 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. Luminex's xMAP technology received the 2005 Clinical Diagnostics Technology of the Year Award from Frost & Sullivan. The Company was named in the 2005 Deloitte Fast 500 of fastest-growing technology companies. Further information on Luminex Corporation or xMAP can be obtained on the Internet at http://www.luminexcorp.com/.

Statements made in this release that express Luminex's or management's intentions, plans, beliefs, expectations or predictions of future events are forward-looking statements. The words "believe," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "will," "could," "should" and similar expressions are intended to further identify such forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. It is important to note that the Company's actual results or performance could differ materially from those anticipated or projected in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause Luminex's actual results or performance to differ materially include risks and uncertainties relating to, among others, market demand and acceptance of Luminex's products, the Company's dependence on strategic partners for development, commercialization and distribution of products, concentration of the Company's revenue in a limited number of strategic partners, fluctuations in quarterly results due to a lengthy and unpredictable sales cycle and bulk purchases of consumables, Luminex's ability to scale manufacturing operations and manage operating expenses, gross margins and inventory levels, potential shortages of components, competition, the timing of regulatory approvals, the implementation, including any modification, of the Company's strategic operating plans, risks and uncertainties associated with implementing our acquisition strategy and the ability to integrate acquired companies or selected assets into our consolidated business operations, as well as the risks discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Luminex's Reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained herein represent the judgment of Luminex as of the date of this press release, and Luminex expressly disclaims any intent, obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward- looking statements to reflect any change in Luminex's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.

  Exiqon Company Contact:
  Dr. Lars Kongsbak
  President & CEO
  [phone]
  

  Luminex Corporate Contact:
  Harriss T. Currie
  Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
  512-219-8020
  

  Luminex Media Contact:
  Nicole L. Cottrill
  Seigenthaler Public Relations
  615-327-7999
  

DATASOURCE: Luminex Corporation



CONTACT:  Company, Dr. Lars Kongsbak, President & CEO of Exiqon,

[phone], or ; or Corporate, Harriss T. Currie, Vice

President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Luminex, [phone], or

; or Media, Nicole L. Cottrill of Seigenthaler Public

Relations, [phone], or , for Luminex



Web site:  http://www.luminexcorp.com/

http://www.exiqon.com/

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