EANS-News: november Aktiengesellschaft
PROGEN Biotechnik and Multimetrix, two
companies of the november AG, have signed a cooperation agreement with MIKROGEN
Cologne (euro adhoc) -
Collaboration in the field of Luminex xMAP® technology Segmentation of activities Exploitation of synergies Expansion of product range Development of new markets
Corporate news transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer/originator is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Joint Ventures/Cooperation/Collaboration/Research & Development
Subtitle: Collaboration in the field of Luminex xMAP® technology Segmentation of activities Exploitation of synergies Expansion of product range Development of new markets
October 19, 2010: PROGEN Biotechnik GmbH/Multimetrix GmbH and MIKROGEN GmbH, German licensees of the Luminex® technology, have signed a cooperation agreement in the field of development, production and marketing of multiplex assays for the Luminex® platform. Furthermore, the companies bundle their activities on equipment and application support in connection with the Luminex® technology. Thus, the cooperation partners combine their strengths in a state-of-the-art technology segment and prepare themselves for future challenges and developments of new markets.
PROGEM/Multimetrix and MIKROGEN have a long-time experience in the Luminex® technology and this cooperation will provide important synergies in the area of development and segmentation of their activities. The tests will not only be developed and released much faster and more standardized but they will also be established in the market more effectively. For this purpose, MIKROGEN will concentrate on the market of routine laboratories whereas PROGEN/Multimetrix will focus increasingly on the research market, as well as technical support and customized testing service.
Routine laboratories as well as research institutes and scientific institutions will profit from the expanding product range, the standardization and the extensive expertise of the cooperation partners with test systems based on the Luminex® technology. Attractive solutions for diagnosis of infectious and autoimmune diseases are provided to medical laboratories. On the other hand, universities and the research industry can rely on customized products from the cooperation partners.
A number of own test systems have already been successfully introduced in the market. This includes assays for diagnosis of the tick-borne borreliosis with a market potential of more than 10 mio EUR in Germany alone. MIKROGEN, known as the market leader of borreliosis diagnostics, can also benefit in this cooperation from its marketing strength with highest product quality, scientific competence and excellent customer service.
The cooperation of the companies provides a solid basis for the development and successful positioning in the market of further multiplex assays for the Luminex® technology. Together with new products already under development the companies will offer an extensive range of products based on the Luminex® technology.
The general management of PROGEN Biotechnik GmbH is quoted saying "We are very pleased that with MIKROGEN we have found an innovative and strong cooperation partner who has accumulated over the years an extensive know-how in the area of Luminex® technology - same as PROGEN has - and who will implement together with us new perspectives and ideas!"
And the general management of MIKROGEN GmbH is quoted as saying "Through this cooperation we have access to PROGEN´s and Multimetrix´ profound expertise in research and development as well as technical service and support and we can offer our customers an extended range of services associated with the Luminex® technology."
About Luminex® Technology The xMAP® (Multi Analyte Profiling) technology developed by Luminex® is an innovative assay platform for a large range of applications. With this technology it is possible to simultaneously test 100 parameters in one test run. Thus, the user saves time and sample material. The technology is based on microscopically small polystyrene beads which are coated with antigens e.g. against different infectious diseases. The automated process allows the beads to identify up to 100 different analytes from one sample. This very sensitive and specific detection enables fast screening tests of many different samples as well as a differential sample analysis.
About november AG / PROGEN Biotechnik GmbH / Multimetrix GmbH november AG, Koeln (www.november.de) is an investment and holding company, listed in the prime standard of the regulated market of the German stock exchange (Deutsche Börse), with special focus on medical technology, biotechnology, and environmental technologies and 100% shareholder of PROGEN Biotechnik GmbH. PROGEN Biotechnik GmbH, Heidelberg (www.progen.de), is manufacturer of in vitro diagnostics (borrelia, hanta virus, FSME) and research reagents (antibodies, polypeptides, AAV, hyperphage, www.hyperphage.com), certified to DIN EN ISO 13485:2007, as well as for the production of multiplex assays for the Luminex® platform. PROGEN is member of the VDGH (German Association of Diagnostic Manufacturers) and major shareholder of Multimetrix GmbH, Regensburg (www.multimetrix.com).
About MIKROGEN GmbH MIKROGEN GmbH, Munich (www.mikrogen.de) is worldwide one of the major specialists for the development of test systems based on recombinant antigens. Since 1989, the company successfully produces high-quality antigens and test systems for medical diagnostics. Main field of activity is the development and production of genetically engineered in vitro diagnostics. Special focus is on bacterial, viral and parasitic infectious disease serology as well as autoimmune diagnostics. MIKROGEN is certified to DIN EN ISO 13485:2003
end of announcement euro adhoc
Further inquiry note:
Dr. Dirk Zurek
CEO
Tel.: +49 (0) 221 82200 520 10
E-Mail: ir@november.de
Branche: Biotechnology
ISIN: DE000A0Z24E9
WKN: A0Z24E
Index: CDAX, Prime All Share, Technology All Share
Börsen: Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard
Berlin / free trade
Stuttgart / free trade
Düsseldorf / free trade
Hannover / free trade
München / free trade