Rubicon Genomics and Agendia Sign Agreement for Use of TransPLEX® Whole Genome RNA Amplification Technology With Symphony™ Cancer Diagnostics

ANN ARBOR, Mich. and AMSTERDAM, Feb. 23, 2012  /PRNewswire/ -- Rubicon Genomics, Inc., a company developing and commercializing sample-specific pre-analytical processes to improve the capabilities and performance of DNA and RNA analytical platforms, today announced a clinical supply agreement with molecular diagnostics firm Agendia for its TransPLEX® whole genome RNA amplification technology.  Agendia will incorporate Rubicon's TransPLEX kits into the analysis of FFPE (formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded) patient samples for use with its Symphony™ suite of breast cancer diagnostics.

"This agreement marks an important milestone for Rubicon," said Rubicon CEO James Koziarz.  "Our innovative sample-specific technologies for improving the performance of DNA and RNA analytic platforms are being used in an increasingly broad range of applications.  This supply agreement with cancer diagnostics pioneer Agendia represents our first large-scale commercial partnership with a provider of clinical diagnostic tests, and we expect it to be the first of many going forward."

FFPE tumor samples are widely used in cancer diagnostics, but they present many challenges for molecular analysis.  RNA or DNA extracted from FFPE samples is highly fragmented and often contains only small amounts of usable DNA or RNA, which may be insufficient for analysis.  Rubicon's TransPLEX genomic RNA amplification kits and GenomePLEX® genomic DNA amplification kits are members of Rubicon's OmniPLEX® family of technologies that are designed and validated to overcome these problems and deliver sufficient quantities of high quality nucleic acids to enable accurate and consistent analyses.

"Rubicon's TransPLEX RNA amplification technology for FFPE samples was a standout in our evaluation of the available options for use with our Symphony products for the diagnosis and management of breast cancer," commented David Macdonald, CEO of Agendia. "TransPLEX offers product performance and workflow advantages, producing superior results while taking less time.  In line with our commitment to ongoing innovation and product excellence, we look forward to incorporating this superior technology into our ongoing diagnostic operations." 

Rubicon's OmniPLEX amplification kits use proprietary methods for advanced library synthesis and high-yield amplification to prepare samples for sensitive and accurate PCR, microarray and next-generation sequencing analysis for use in biomedical research and clinical medicine.  They have been successfully used with thousands of clinical FFPE samples with exceptional consistency, superior performance and proven sensitivity.  The OmniPLEX kits are also fast, simple, and amenable to automation. 

Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

About Rubicon Genomics
Rubicon Genomics, Inc. is a leader in the development and commercialization of sample-specific pre-analytical processes to improve the performance and capabilities of DNA and RNA analytical platforms for a variety of research and clinical testing applications.  The company's core competency is the creation of more efficient molecular biology tools for genetic, epigenetic and expression analysis of difficult clinical samples to facilitate gene-based research, drug development, diagnostics and forensics.  Privately held Rubicon is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  More information can be found at www.rubicongenomics.com.

About Agendia
Agendia is a leading molecular diagnostics company that develops and markets genomic-based products that improve the quality of life for cancer patients and simplify complex treatment decisions for their physicians.  Agendia's Symphony™ suite of breast cancer products is based on the analysis of hundreds of genes in a patient's tumor and provides unprecedented biological insight to address complex treatment decisions.  Symphony includes MammaPrint, the first and only FDA-cleared IVDMIA breast cancer recurrence assay, as well as BluePrint­­, a molecular subtyping assay, TargetPrint®, an ER/PR/HER2 gene expression assay, and TheraPrint®, a therapy selection assay. Together, these tests help physicians determine a patient's individual risk for metastasis, which patients will benefit from chemo, hormonal or combination therapy, and which patients do not require these treatments and can instead be treated with other less arduous and less costly methods.  Agendia is based in Irvine, California, U.S., and Amsterdam, the Netherlands.  For more information, please visit www.agendia.com.

SOURCE Rubicon Genomics, Inc.