QIAGEN Launches New Genetic Fingerprinting Kits for U.S. Forensic Labs

GERMANTOWN, Maryland, and HILDEN, Germany, June 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

QIAGEN N.V. (NASDAQ: QGEN; Frankfurt Prime Standard: QIA) today launched new Investigator^® STR assay kits for analysis of DNA evidence in forensic laboratories in the United States. The new genetic fingerprint kits provide an integrated solution to simultaneously analyze multiple key genomic markers (short tandem repeats or STRs) for DNA matching. They incorporate the Investigator^® Quality Sensor to evaluate the quality of DNA in each sample, a novel QIAGEN technology that enables labs to decide quickly which evidence may provide valuable results - solving cases while saving time and money.

The new Investigator STR kits comply with the latest U.S. requirements that labs must implement expanded marker sets by 2017 as part of an FBI upgrade of CODIS (Combined DNA Index System), as well as complying with European and Interpol standards. Following the introduction of these new standards and with the launch of the new kits, QIAGEN is the first new entrant in more than 20 years in the U.S. market for STR test kits. QIAGEN is the global leader in sample technologies in human identification and forensics and is already successfully commercializing STR kits in all other regions of the world. With around 400 accredited forensic crime laboratories analyzing more than four million casework and reference samples per year, the United States is by far the largest market for human identification and forensics.

"Closing cases in forensic investigations demands quick decisions and reliable, understandable results. Often, the quality of DNA in trace amounts of evidence is the biggest challenge. Building on QIAGEN's position as the clear market and technology leader in innovative sample technologies in forensic testing, we have integrated the Investigator^® Quality Sensor into our STR kits to give labs the insights they need to make confident decisions about the quality of each sample from a crime scene or investigation. These multiplex kits streamline genetic profiling and save resources for laboratories by focusing the work on usable DNA samples and avoiding time-consuming reruns of degraded evidence," said Dr. Thomas Schnibbe, Senior Director and Head of QIAGEN's global forensics franchise.

Charles Hardy, special agent and forensic scientist supervisor with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, expressed the laboratory viewpoint: "The world of forensic DNA analysis has grown smaller and bigger at the same time. We can gain more information from a much smaller amount of DNA, while at the same time demanding more and more information from each examination. Working with trace amounts of DNA, every forensic analyst faces a challenge with these conflicting demands. The inclusion of internal aids such as the Quality Sensor will play a key role in allowing analysts to have confidence in their results. The Quality Sensor is a powerful troubleshooting tool to save precious time and lab resources in developing a DNA profile."

QIAGEN is now launching two STR assay kits in the United States soon to be approved for use with the National DNA Index System (NDIS).These kits are designed for forensic samples to be amplified through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and separated and detected through capillary electrophoresis. The new kits are:

• Investigator 24plex QS Kit for amplification of the new CODIS core and European Standard Set (ESS) marker sets from casework samples
• Investigator 24plex GO! Kit for direct amplification of the new CODIS core and ESS marker sets from reference samples

The new STR kits complement the Investigator ESSplex SE QS Kit for amplification of the ESS marker set as well as the Investigator Argus X-12 QS Kit for amplification of 12 X-chromosomal STR markers, which also are now being launched in the United States.

To learn about the new STR kits and QIAGEN's full Sample to Insight offering in forensics, including technologies for PCR and next-generation sequencing workflows, please visit http://www.qiagen.com/us/products/human-identity-and-forensics/.

About QIAGEN 

QIAGEN N.V., a Netherlands-based holding company, is the leading global provider of Sample to Insight solutions to transform biological materials into valuable molecular insights. QIAGEN sample technologies isolate and process DNA, RNA and proteins from blood, tissue and other materials. Assay technologies make these biomolecules visible and ready for analysis. Bioinformatics software and knowledge bases interpret data to report relevant, actionable insights. Automation solutions tie these together in seamless and cost-effective molecular testing workflows. QIAGEN provides these workflows to more than 500,000 customers around the world in Molecular Diagnostics (human healthcare), Applied Testing (forensics, veterinary testing and food safety), Pharma (pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies) and Academia (life sciences research). As of March 31, 2015, QIAGEN employed approximately 4,300 people in over 35 locations worldwide. Further information can be found at http://www.qiagen.com.

Certain of the statements contained in this news release may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. To the extent that any of the statements contained herein relating to QIAGEN's products, markets, strategy or operating results, including without limitation its expected operating results, new product developments, new product launches, regulatory submissions, and financing plans are forward-looking, such statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that involve a number of uncertainties and risks. Such uncertainties and risks include, but are not limited to, risks associated with management of growth and international operations (including the effects of currency fluctuations, regulatory processes and dependence on logistics), variability of operating results and allocations between customer classes, the commercial development of markets for our products in applied testing, personalized healthcare, clinical research, proteomics, women's health/HPV testing and nucleic acid-based molecular diagnostics; changing relationships with customers, suppliers and strategic partners; competition; rapid or unexpected changes in technologies; fluctuations in demand for QIAGEN's products (including fluctuations due to general economic conditions, the level and timing of customers' funding, budgets and other factors); our ability to obtain regulatory approval of our products; difficulties in successfully adapting QIAGEN's products to integrated solutions and producing such products; the ability of QIAGEN to identify and develop new products and to differentiate and protect our products from competitors' products; market acceptance of QIAGEN's new products, the consummation of acquisitions, and the integration of acquired technologies and businesses. For further information, please refer to the discussions in reports that QIAGEN has filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). 

Contacts
Public Relations:
Dr. Thomas Theuringer
Director Public Relations
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+1-240-686-7425

Email: [email protected]
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Investor Relations:
John Gilardi
Vice President Corporate Communications and Investor Relations
+49-2103-29-11711
+1-240-686-2222

Email: [email protected]
ir.qiagen.com

SOURCE QIAGEN