QIAGEN and Applied Biosystems settle all disput...
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Rotor-Gene(TM) Q now fully "Licensed Real-Time Thermal Cycler" for
all molecular research and diagnostic applications
Venlo, The Netherlands, January 22, 2008 --- Corbett, QIAGEN (NASDAQ:
QGEN; Frankfurt, Prime Standard: QIA), ltf Labortechnik GmbH & Co.
KG, and Applied Biosystems, LLC, part of Life Technologies
Corporation (Nasdaq: LIFE) today announced a settlement of their
disputes concerning infringement by Corbett's Rotor-Gene(TM)
Real-Time PCR-Cyclers and Applied Biosystems' Real-Time Thermal
Cycler Instrument patents. Applied Biosystems had filed an
infringement lawsuit against Corbett in Germany and Corbett later
filed a declaratory judgment lawsuit in California. Further, Corbett
and ltf Labortechnik filed an intervention in opposition proceedings
before the European Patent Office. QIAGEN acquired Corbett, an
Australian instrumentation manufacturing company, in July 2008.
In connection with the settlement, Corbett has entered into an
agreement with Applied Biosystems to take a license to -certain
technology relating to Corbett's Real-Time PCR-Instrumentation and
its use. The license covers all fields including research-related
fields, applied fields and the fields of human and animal in vitro
diagnostics.
Financial terms of the settlement and related license agreement were
not disclosed. These agreements fully resolve all pending disputes
between Corbett, QIAGEN, ltf Labortechnik, and Applied Biosystems.
"This Real-Time Thermal Cycler license agreement for all fields
including human in vitro diagnostics expands our existing PCR
intellectual property estate which is truly unique in the industry",
said Peer Schatz, CEO of QIAGEN. "The Rotor-Gene(TM) Q Real-time
Thermal Cycler technology adds high performance, proprietary PCR
detection technology to QIAGEN. This addition extends our molecular
testing solution portfolio and puts QIAGEN in a position to offer
sample and assay technology solutions spanning from sample to result.
This settlement agreement allows us to place our full focus on
delivering the most advanced technology solutions to our customers in
molecular diagnostics, applied testing, pharma and academic research.
We are pleased that our Rotor-Gene Q(TM) Real-Time Thermal Cycler can
be marketed with the additional mark of a fully 'Licensed Real-Time
Thermal Cycler' for all fields."
About Thermal Cyclers and PCR
Thermal cyclers are the key instruments for performing polymerase
chain reactions (PCR). PCR, used in life science and molecular
diagnostics, is a process in which a segment of a nucleic acid (DNA
or RNA) is copied or "amplified" so that the nucleic acid can be more
readily analyzed. In real-time PCR, the amplified DNA is detected
during, rather than at the end of, the PCR process, a feature that
facilitates greater accuracy in important applications, including
pathogen detection, gene expression quantization and genotyping.
About QIAGEN
QIAGEN N.V., a Netherlands holding company, is the leading provider
of sample and assay technologies. Sample technologies are used to
isolate and process DNA, RNA, and proteins from biological samples
such as blood or tissue. Assay technologies are used to make such
isolated bio-molecules visible. QIAGEN has developed and markets more
than 500 consumable products as well as automated solutions for such
consumables. The company provides its products to molecular
diagnostics laboratories, academic researchers, pharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies, and applied testing customers for purposes
such as forensics, animal or food testing, and pharmaceutical process
control. QIAGEN's assay technologies include what is considered to be
the broadest panel of molecular diagnostic tests available worldwide.
This panel includes the only FDA-approved test for human
Papillomavirus (HPV), the primary cause of cervical cancer. QIAGEN
employs more than 3.000 people in more than 30 locations worldwide.
Further information about QIAGEN can be found at
http://www.qiagen.com/.
Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts
are forward-looking statements, including statements about our
products, markets, strategy and operating results. Such statements
are based on current expectations that involve risks and
uncertainties including, but not limited to, those associated with:
management of growth and international operations (including currency
fluctuations and logistics), variability of our operating results,
commercial development of our markets (including applied testing,
clinical and academic research, proteomics, women's health/HPV
testing and molecular diagnostics), our relationships with customers,
suppliers and strategic partners, competition, changes in technology,
fluctuations in demand, regulatory requirements, identifying,
developing and producing integrated products differentiated from our
competitors' products, market acceptance of our products, and
integration of acquired technologies and businesses. For further
information, refer to our filings with the SEC, including our latest
Form 20-F. Information in this release is as of the date of the
release, and we undertake no duty to update this information unless
required by law.
# # #
Contacts:
Dr. Solveigh Mähler Dr. Thomas Theuringer
Director Investor Relations Associate Director Public
QIAGEN N.V. Relations
+49 2103 29 11710 QIAGEN GmbH
email: +49-2103-29-11826
solveigh.maehler@qiagen.com email:
thomas.theuringer@qiagen.com
Albert F. Fleury
Investor Relations North America
QIAGEN N.V.
+1 301 944 7028
email: albert.fleury@qiagen.com
--- End of Message ---
Qiagen N.V.
Spoorstraat 50 KJ Venlo Netherlands
WKN: 901626; ISIN:
NL0000240000; Index: HDAX, MIDCAP, Prime All Share, TECH All Share,
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