QIAGEN Launches Novel Product Enabling Non-Inva...

QIAamp kit sets new standard for the extraction of free circulating
                               DNA and
                    RNA fragments in human blood

Venlo, The Netherlands, May 25,  2009 --- QIAGEN today announced  the
launch  of  a  novel  product  for  extraction  of  free  circulating
fragments of tumor- and fetal-derived nucleic acids as well as  viral
nucleic acids in human blood.  Scientists consider these DNA and  RNA
fragments to  have  great  potential for  the  highly  sensitive  and
non-invasive  diagnosis  of  a  wide  range  of  diseases,  including
congenital disorders, malignancies such as colon and lung cancer, and
infections. The new QIAamp Circulating  Nucleic Acid Kit is  expected
to significantly facilitate the corresponding biomarker research  and
the introduction  of novel  molecular tests  in prenatal  diagnostics
which can replace risky, invasive procedures such as amniocentesis.

Free circulating DNA and RNA fragments are found in body fluids  such
as plasma, serum and urine. Scientific research has demonstrated that
plasma, in  particular,  carries  a variety  of  nucleic  acids  from
viruses  and  different  tissues   throughout  the  body,   including
developing fetuses and tumors. In  cancer research, it has also  been
shown that the concentration of tumor DNA fragments is related to the
extent of the  disease. The analysis  of such DNA  and RNA  fragments
thus not only enables new,  virtually non-invasive approaches to  the
early and highly sensitive  detection of different malignancies  such
as colon or lung cancer, but can also help to monitor the progress of
the disease and to assess  patient outcomes. Likewise, fetal DNA  and
RNA  fragments  circulating  in  maternal  blood  can  be  used   for
the non-invasive  molecular  detection  of  congenital  disorders  in
prenatal diagnostics,  an  area  where QIAGEN  also  cooperates  with
Sequenom, Inc. which is a leader in this field.

QIAGEN's new QIAamp Circulating Nucleic  Acid Kit for the first  time
enables the isolation and purification of all types and all sizes  of
nucleic acids from large-scale plasma and serum samples - and thereby
enables unprecedented  yields  of  the  isolated  molecules  and  the
highest sensitivity  of downstream  applications. This  significantly
facilitates  the  molecular  detection  of  viral  infections,  where
extraction of even the scarcest traces  of genetic material is a  key
requirement for reliable results.  Moving forward, the company  plans
to extend the use of the  product to urine samples and the  isolation
of free circulating miRNA molecules from plasma and serum, which  can
serve as highly specific biomarkers for cancer.

"Our new product brings major improvements to biomarker research  for
cancer  and  the   development  of   novel,  virtually   non-invasive
diagnostics based  upon nucleic  acid fragments  circulating in  body
fluids", said Uwe Oelmueller,  Senior Director R&D Diagnostic  Sample
Preparation and Stabilization at QIAGEN. "The clinical value of  this
method is  well documented,  but  its widespread  implementation  and
progress in further research have been hampered by the cumbersome and
demanding methodology for handling such molecules. The new QIAamp kit
removes  this  bottleneck  and  will  bring  significant  value   for
researchers and clinicians."

The novel  kit is  currently  available for  research use  only.  The
company  plans  to  validate  the  product  for  in-vitro  diagnostic
applications in the United States and Europe.

About QIAGEN:
QIAGEN   N.V.,    a    Netherlands   holding    company,    is    the
leading global 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  biomolecules visible.  QIAGEN  has
developed and markets more than 500 sample and assay 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  one  of  the  broadest  panels  of   molecular
diagnostic tests available worldwide. This panel includes the  digene
HPV Test, which  is regarded as  the "gold standard"  in testing  for
high-risk types of human papillomavirus  (HPV), the primary cause  of
cervical cancer. QIAGEN  employs more  than 3,100 people  in over  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:


Public Relations                          Investor Relations
Dr. Thomas Theuringer                     Dr. Solveigh Maehler
Associate Director Public Relations       Director Investor Relations
[phone]                         [phone]

Nicole York                               Albert F. Fleury
Communications       Manager        North Investor Relations North
America                                   America
+ 1  240 686 7660                         [phone]

email: [e-mail]                      Email: [e-mail]


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