QIAGEN to Provide State-of-the-Art Technologies and Platforms for Gene Mutation Analysis and Sample Preparation Automation

The lab is the first of its kind between QIAGEN and a major research institution in China and is a key milestone in the Company's expansion in key emerging markets and as a leading player in translational medicine.

"Translational Medicine aims to transform basic research results into clinically applicable practices. The trend of translational medicine is unstoppable and I think both scientists and policy makers should adapt this new concept as quick as possible and work together to improve human health," remarked Professor He Lin, Director of the Bio-X Center at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

QIAGEN will provide the Center with Pyromark Q24MDx and QIAcube instruments and related products. The Pyromark system is a state-of-the-art pyrosequencing instrument which allows researchers to, among many things, study gene mutations that play a role in various diseases. By studying biomarkers and pathways, researchers can turn viable disease related biomarkers into clinically applicable molecular diagnostic assays. Bio-X Center will use the instruments and QIAGEN reagents in a variety of research fields including biomarker validation and analysis.

"Translational medicine is quickly becoming the future of medicine by applying basic research to develop clinical diagnostics and therapies that prevent disease and optimize patient care," said Dr. Victor Shi, Asia Pacific President of QIAGEN. "Through this agreement with the Bio-X Center we can leverage our leading positions as a solutions provider in biological research, drug discovery and personalized healthcare to help develop better diagnostics and therapies for the Chinese people."