AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Luminex Corporation (Nasdaq: LMNX) announced today that it has teamed with Partners HealthCare toward the discovery of novel biomarkers and development of clinical assays.  This program will enable Partners HealthCare Center for Personalized Genetic Medicine (PCPGM) to develop novel molecular diagnostic assays based on biomarkers discovered within Partners HealthCare entities.  These innovative tests will operate on Luminex's proprietary xMAP® testing platform.  Under the terms of the agreement, Luminex and PCPGM will evaluate opportunities for novel assays which will be developed and validated in the PCPGM's CLIA-certified Laboratory for Molecular Medicine.

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"The collaboration with Luminex represents an important step forward in furthering Partners HealthCare Center for Personalized Genetic Medicine's mission to bridge the gap between research and clinical medicine," said Dr. Heidi Rehm, Director of PCPGM's Laboratory for Molecular Medicine at Partners HealthCare.  "Luminex's xMAP technology provides an ideal platform for Partners HealthCare to translate novel biomarker discoveries into cutting-edge tests and accelerate adoption of new molecular tests to provide the best clinical care for patients."  

The strength of the relationship between Luminex and PCPGM is the resources, technologies and industry experience that each organization offers, from research, development and the ability to commercialize novel molecular diagnostic assays. By utilizing Luminex's xMAP technology, PCPGM can develop novel assays and bring them from discovery to clinical diagnostics more efficiently and cost-effectively.

"Luminex and Partners HealthCare have a shared commitment to leverage genetic testing and personalized medicine to improve the quality of care and treatment for patients," said Patrick J. Balthrop, president and CEO of Luminex.  "Partners HealthCare is a premier institution with a history of proven success in the field of molecular diagnostics, and through the Center of Excellence agreement, we are confident that our joint efforts will drive market innovation and important technology advancements that will help dramatically improve patients' lives in the years ahead."

About Partners HealthCare

Partners HealthCare is an integrated health system founded by Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital. In addition to its two academic medical centers, the Partners system includes community and specialty hospitals, community health centers, a physician network, home health and long-term care services, and other health-related entities. Partners is one of the nation’s leading biomedical research organizations and a principal teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School.  Partners HealthCare is a non-profit organization.

About Luminex Corporation

Luminex Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets proprietary biological testing technologies with applications throughout the diagnostic and life sciences industries. The company's xMAP® multiplex solutions include an open-architecture, multi-analyte technology platform that delivers fast, accurate, and cost-effective bioassay results to markets as diverse as pharmaceutical drug discovery, clinical diagnostics, and biomedical research, including the genomics and proteomics markets. The company's xMAP Technology is sold worldwide and is already in use in leading clinical laboratories, as well as major pharmaceutical, diagnostic, and biotechnology companies. Further information on Luminex Corporation or xMAP Technology can be obtained at www.luminexcorp.com.

SOURCE Luminex Corporation