Affymetrix and QIAGEN to Collaborate on siRNA Research Using GeneChip(R) Technology
October 31 2003 - 5:16AM
PR Newswire (US)
Affymetrix and QIAGEN to Collaborate on siRNA Research Using
GeneChip(R) Technology VENLO, The Netherlands, and SANTA CLARA,
Calif., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- QIAGEN N.V. and
Affymetrix, Inc., today announced that they have entered into a
collaboration to optimise QIAGEN siRNA-mediated gene silencing
using Affymetrix GeneChip(R) microarray technology. The
collaboration is intended to develop optimised procedures that can
be standardized to analyse gene silencing effects on a genome-wide
basis. QIAGEN has a leading position in gene silencing by siRNA
using synthesis technology based on a proprietary chemistry (TOM
amidites), and on transfection methods and kits for introduction of
siRNA into target cells. The ability of market leading Affymetrix
GeneChip expression arrays to provide a comprehensive picture of
all the protein-coding content in the human genome enables
researchers to determine on a whole genome scale, on- and
off-target effects of siRNA-mediated gene silencing. Optimised
protocols and data resulting from the collaboration describing the
benefits of using the two technologies together will be provided to
researchers in technical notes. "Use of siRNA as a tool to impact
important biological pathways is a rapidly growing area of research
in basic biology and therapeutic development," said Trevor J.
Nicholls, Ph.D., Affymetrix's Chief Commercial Officer. "The
whole-genome view that Affymetrix arrays offer will give
researchers a more complete understanding of the downstream effects
of siRNAs in their experiments and clinical research. We are
pleased to be working with QIAGEN in this exciting area. This
relationship complements our recently announced collaboration with
PreAnalytiX GmbH to develop sampling protocols in clinical
research." "This collaboration adds another cornerstone to the
already existing partnerships with Affymetrix," said Dr. Ulrich
Schriek, Vice President Corporate Business Development of QIAGEN.
"It will strengthen QIAGEN's presence in what has evolved to one of
the most dynamic areas of today's functional genomics market. The
combination of our synthetic siRNA and transfection products with
the market's leading array technology will set new standards and is
ideally suited to provide an optimal tool set to researchers
studying complex genetic pathways and networks." About QIAGEN
QIAGEN N.V., a Netherlands holding company with subsidiaries in
Germany, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Switzerland,
France, Italy, Australia, Norway, Austria and Canada, believes it
is the world's leading provider of innovative enabling technologies
and products for the separation, purification and handling of
nucleic acids. The Company has developed a comprehensive portfolio
of more than 320 proprietary, consumable products for nucleic acid
separation, purification and handling, nucleic acid amplification,
as well as automated instrumentation, synthetic nucleic acid
products and related services. QIAGEN's products are sold in more
than 42 countries throughout the world to academic research markets
and to leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. In
addition, the Company is positioning its products for sale into
developing commercial markets, including DNA sequencing and
genomics, nucleic acid-based molecular diagnostics, and genetic
vaccination and gene therapy. QIAGEN employs approximately 1,600
people worldwide. Further information on QIAGEN can be found at
http://www.qiagen.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 products and
markets and operating results are forward-looking, such statements
are based on current expectations that involve a number of
uncertainties and risks. Such uncertainties and risks include, but
are not limited to, risks associated with management of growth and
international operations (including the effects of currency
fluctuations and risks of dependency on logistics), variability of
operating results, the commercial development of the DNA
sequencing, genomics and synthetic nucleic acid-related markets,
nucleic acid-based molecular diagnostics market, and genetic
vaccination and gene therapy markets, competition, rapid or
unexpected changes in technologies, fluctuations in demand for
QIAGEN's, products (including seasonal fluctuations), difficulties
in successfully adapting QIAGEN's products to integrated solutions
and producing such products, the ability of QIAGEN to identify and
develop new products and to differentiate its products from
competitors, and the integration of acquisitions of technologies
and businesses. For further information, refer to the discussion in
reports that QIAGEN has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC). DATASOURCE: QIAGEN N.V. CONTACT: Peer M. Schatz,
Chief Financial Officer of QIAGEN N.V., +49-2103-29-11702, or , or
Dr. Solveigh Maehler, Manager Investor Relations of QIAGEN N.V.,
+49-2103-29-11710, or ; or Wes Conard, Senior Manager, Public
Relations of Affymetrix, Inc., +1-408-731-5791, or , or Doug
Farrell, Vice President for Investor Relations of Affymetrix, Inc.,
+1-408-731-5285, or Web site: http://www.qiagen.com/
http://www.affymetrix.com/
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