CARLSBAD, Calif., Jan. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Life Technologies
(NASDAQ: LIFE) has completed a multi-year license and supply
agreement with Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), the world's leading
provider of diagnostic information services, that gives Quest
rights to develop molecular tests on the Ion Torrent™
next-generation sequencing platform. Under the agreement, Quest may
use the platform and related consumables to independently develop
new tests for numerous areas of their business.
DNA sequencing is a process that determines the order of
individual nucleotides of DNA molecules across a single gene,
several genes or a full genome. Unlike older technologies,
next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms can sequence multiple
molecules simultaneously, providing greater information about the
genetic basis of disease for lower cost. Ion Torrent™ technology
combines speed and reliability with the ability to analyze large,
multi-gene DNA or RNA panels from extremely small samples, such as
those obtained from needle aspirates, circulating nucleic acids and
circulating tumor cells.
"Next-generation sequencing is a highly advanced technology with
great potential to improve clinical care, research and cost savings
across several fields of medicine," said Jay Wohlgemuth, M.D., Senior Vice President,
Science and Innovation, Quest Diagnostics. "Quest is actively
developing NGS-based tests and working with top providers, such as
Life Technologies, to expand our capabilities in this exciting new
field. With this agreement, we can build on our successes in NGS to
accelerate the future clinical benefit and positive impact of this
technology for patients and providers across several disease areas,
including cancer, neurology and women's health."
This new agreement extends the range of applications in which
Quest may develop tests on the Ion Torrent technology to more than
a dozen.
"The power of next-generation sequencing technology is
transforming healthcare by giving physicians an opportunity to
understand disease at the molecular level," said Ronnie Andrews, president, Genetic Analysis and
Medical Science at Life Technologies. "Quest Diagnostics is a
pioneer at bringing new technologies into the clinic through their
centers of excellence and is the ideal partner to leverage the
potential of Ion Torrent™ technology to improve human health."
The regulatory status of Ion Torrent products can be found on
the Life Technologies website.
About Life Technologies
Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: LIFE) is a global
biotechnology company that is committed to providing the most
innovative products and services to leading customers in the fields
of scientific research, genetic analysis and applied sciences. With
a presence in more than 180 countries, the company's portfolio of
50,000 end-to-end solutions are secured by more than 5,000 patents
and licenses that span the entire biological spectrum -- scientific
exploration, molecular diagnostics, 21st century
forensics, regenerative medicine and agricultural research. Life
Technologies has approximately 10,000 employees and had sales of
$3.8 billion in 2012.
Life Technologies' Safe Harbor Statement
This
press release includes forward-looking statements about our
anticipated results that involve risks and uncertainties. Some of
the information contained in this press release, including, but not
limited to, statements as to industry trends and Life Technologies'
plans, objectives, expectations and strategy for its business,
contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ
materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. Any statements that are not statements of historical
fact are forward-looking statements. When used, the words
"believe," "plan," "intend," "anticipate," "target," "estimate,"
"expect" and the like, and/or future tense or conditional
constructions ("will," "may," "could," "should," etc.), or similar
expressions, identify certain of these forward-looking statements.
Important factors which could cause actual results to differ
materially from those in the forward-looking statements are
detailed in filings made by Life Technologies with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Life Technologies
undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such
forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or
circumstances.
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Life Technologies Contact:
Wes Conard
415-385-4455
wes.conard@lifetech.com
SOURCE Life Technologies Corporation