QIAGEN Receives FDA Clearances for Rotor-Gene Q MDx Instrument and Compatible Influenza A/B Assay

HILDEN, Germany, and GERMANTOWN, Maryland, April 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

• Both products receive 510(k) clearance for in vitro  diagnostic use in the U.S.

• Rotor-Gene Q MDx platform offers automated real-time PCR testing in molecular in vitro  diagnostic applications

• Influenza A/B assay the first QIAGEN test to receive 510(k)clearance for IVD use on Rotor-Gene Q MDx platform in the U.S., paving the way for further test menu expansion

QIAGEN N.V. (NASDAQ: QGEN; Frankfurt Prime Standard: QIA) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted two 510(k) clearances for its real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) instrument Rotor-Gene Q MDx  and a compatible test for the detection of Influenza A/B, the artus Infl A/B RG RT-PCR Kit, for in vitro diagnostic use (IVD).

"The FDA clearances for the Rotor-Gene Q MDx along with the first assay for use on this system represent an important milestone for QIAGEN," said Peer M. Schatz, Chief Executive Officer of QIAGEN N.V." The various Rotor-Gene Q models marketed by QIAGEN are not only an integral part of our revolutionary lab automation platform QIAsymphony RGQ, but are also among the most widely used stand-alone molecular detection platforms worldwide. Outside the U.S., our customers already have access to a broad portfolio of molecular diagnostic tests for use on these platforms. The FDA clearances now pave the way to make this market-leading assay portfolio available to clinical laboratories in the U.S. as well."

The Rotor-Gene Q MDx instrument is an automated molecular detection platform based on real-time PCR technology. The system is intended for in vitro diagnostic use with FDA cleared or approved nucleic acid tests in clinical laboratories. The platform uses a unique centrifugal rotary design to amplify and quantify DNA molecules, enabling a near-perfect well-to-well thermal and optical uniformity and a fast data acquisition rate. These qualities make the Rotor-Gene Q MDxa preferred choice for IVD molecular diagnostic applications.  

The artus Infl A/B RG RT-PCR Kit is a multiplex real-time PCR IVD test intended to aid in differential diagnosis through qualitative detection and identification of Influenza A and B viral infections in nasopharyngeal swab samples using the Rotor-Gene Q MDx instrument. Influenza is one of the most frequent respiratory diseases. Since many flu-like symptoms may be caused by other pathogens, testing for influenza viruses helps to reduce the inappropriate use of antibiotics and to determine whether antiviral therapy would be appropriate. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 250,000 influenza tests are performed in U.S. laboratories during the annual flu season. Former versions of the artus Infl A/B RG RT-PCR kit were among the most widely used assays in the influenza epidemics 2005/2006 and 2009/2010 worldwide.

The artus Infl A/B RG RT-PCR Kit is the first in a series of IVD molecular diagnostics that QIAGEN plans to launch on the Rotor-Gene Q MDx platform in the U.S. Several other PCR-based assays are either under regulatory review or are being prepared for submission to the FDA - for instance, proposed companion diagnostics based on mutations in the KRAS gene to guide colorectal cancer treatments and on mutations in the EGFR gene to guide lung cancer treatments, as well as an assay for detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV).

Outside the U.S., the various models of Rotor-Gene Q high-performance real-time PCR cyclers already gained registrations as medical device in many key markets including the European Union, China, Japan, Korea, Brazil, Australia and Russia. Subject to regulatory approvals in different regions and countries of the world, QIAGEN markets various Rotor-Gene Q models as a standalone IVD instrument or as part of the modular IVD platform QIAsymphony RGQ, which automates entire laboratory workflows from initial sample processing to the final result.

About QIAGEN:

QIAGEN N.V., a Netherlands holding company, is the leading global provider of Sample & Assay Technologies that are used to transform biological materials into valuable molecular information. Sample technologies are used to isolate and process DNA, RNA and proteins from biological samples such as blood or tissue. Assay technologies are then used to make these isolated biomolecules visible and ready for interpretation. QIAGEN markets more than 500 products around the world, selling both consumable kits and automation systems to customers through four customer classes: Molecular Diagnostics (human healthcare), Applied Testing (forensics, veterinary testing and food safety), Pharma (pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies) and Academia (life sciences research). As of December 31, 2011, QIAGEN employed approximately 3,900 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, 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
+49-2103-29-11826
+1-240-686-7425

Email: [email protected]

http://www.twitter.com/qiagen
http://www.qiagen.com/about/press

Investor Relations:
John Gilardi
VP Corporate Communications
+49-2103-29-11711
+1-301-240-686-2222

Albert F. Fleury
Investor Relations North America
+1-301-944-7028

Email: [email protected]
http://www.qiagen.com/about/investorrelation

SOURCE QIAGEN N.V.