VEDBAEK, Denmark, Nov. 2, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Exiqon A/S (Copenhagen:EXQ), a leading supplier of high-value gene expression analysis products, today announced that Toumy Guettouche, Ph.D., Director, Oncogenomics Core Facility, Sylvester Cancer Center, University of Miami School of Medicine, USA, has presented data from a larger validation study of Exiqon's miRCURY LNA(TM) Universal RT microRNA PCR product line.
Data in support of Exiqon's platform were presented at the qPCR Symposium, San Francisco, California, USA, on 1 November 2010.
Exiqon's microRNA PCR product line is being used for microRNA expression profiling in a variety of sample types including difficult samples like blood serum and FFPE.
"Dr. Guettouche has demonstrated that Exiqon's microRNA PCR platform allows for quantitative detection of a higher number of microRNAs at low concentrations compared to similar products offered by a main competitor," said Dr. Peter Mouritzen, Director R&D at Exiqon, and added: "The superiority of our microRNA PCR assays is obtained by applying our proprietary LNA(TM) technology according to a very advanced bioinformatics algorithm which took us years to develop."
The study demonstrated that of the 311 microRNA qPCR assays common to the two technologies, 73% of Exiqon's qPCR primer sets amplified cDNA from the equivalent of 5 copies of microRNA whereas 50 copies were needed for a 70% call from the competitive product.
"Exiqon's microRNA PCR products were launched a year ago, and we have since had a very successful market uptake," said Henrik M. Pfundheller, Vice President Sales & Marketing at Exiqon, and added: "The key performance criteria that makes the customers buy our products are the robust quantitative and sensitive capabilities without the need for pre-amplification combined with the ease of use."
Toumy Guettouche, who is heading the core facility at University of Miami School of Medicine, will now add Exiqon's microRNA PCR panels to their product offering. "We now offer the Universal RT microRNA qPCR panels at our facility," said Dr. Toumy Guettouche.
The miRCURY LNA(TM) Universal RT microRNA PCR product line includes more than 1,000 pre-validated assays offered as Ready-to-Use qPCR panels for human, mouse and rat, single microRNA assays, reagents, software and protocols for all major qPCR instruments. The advanced assay design tool and the LNA(TM) technology is also available through Exiqon's homepage to researchers who want to design their own microRNA assays for example for microRNAs discovered through next generation sequencing.
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CONTACT: Exiqon A/S Lars Kongsbak, President and CEO +45 4566 0888 cell: +45 4090 2101 Henrik M. Pfundheller, VP Sales & Marketing +45 4565 0420 cell: +45 4090 2106