Asuragen Announces microRNA Co-Exclusive License Agreement with Max Planck Society; Access to Proprietary microRNAs for Use in Diagnostic Applications Advances Asuragen's Promise in Oncology Testing.AUSTIN, Texas -- Asuragen, Inc., an oncology molecular diagnostic company and molecular biology molecular biology, scientific study of the molecular basis of life processes, including cellular respiration, excretion, and reproduction. The term molecular biology was coined in 1938 by Warren Weaver, then director of the natural sciences program at the Rockefeller service provider, today announced it has entered into a co-exclusive license agreement with Garching Innovation, the technology transfer agency of the Max Planck Society The Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e. V. (abbreviated MPG, meaning Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science) is an independent German non-profit research organization funded by the federal and state governments. . Under the terms of this agreement, Asuragen has secured the rights to use over 200 microRNA sequences in diagnostic applications. "We are very excited about the potential of the microRNA sequences granted by the license agreement, and the opportunity to be one of only 4 entities to have access to those rights. With our already strong intellectual property portfolio in the miRNA space, Asuragen is uniquely positioned to bring about the diagnostic promise of these RNA RNA: see nucleic acid. RNA in full ribonucleic acid One of the two main types of nucleic acid (the other being DNA), which functions in cellular protein synthesis in all living cells and replaces DNA as the carrier of genetic sequences," said Matt Winkler Winkler may refer to:
About microRNAs microRNAs are naturally occurring small RNAs that act to regulate mRNA expression and have the potential to be the basis for a new class of diagnostics and therapeutics. There are approximately 450 microRNAs identified in humans, with the total predicted to eventually reach 1,000 or more. microRNAs are believed to regulate at least one-third of the human genes. They are likely to play significant roles in the manifestation of many disease states, including metabolic, infectious diseases and cancer. About Asuragen, Inc. Asuragen, Inc. is a newly formed company that resulted from the sale, in March, 2006, of the Research Products Division of Ambion, Inc. to Applied Biosystems Group (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange : ABI Abi (ā`bī) [short for Abijah], in the Bible, King Hezekiah's mother. (Application Binary Interface) A specification for a specific hardware platform combined with the operating system. ). Asuragen is comprised of two of Ambion's former divisions, Diagnostics and Services, along with the formation of a new Discovery group dedicated to developing new technologies that will become cutting edge clinical products. Asuragen's current product portfolio consists of Signature(R) Genetic Testing Genetic Testing Definition A genetic test examines the genetic information contained inside a person's cells, called DNA, to determine if that person has or will develop a certain disease or could pass a disease to his or her offspring. and Oncology Testing products, as well as industry leading controls and standards engineered using its patented Armored RNA(R) technology. Asuragen has recently formed a partnership with Digene Corporation (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on : DIGE DIGE Differential In-Gel Electrophoresis DIGE Direct-Injection Gasoline Engine ) to market and distribute its Signature cystic fibrosis screening products. The vision for Asuragen is to become a fully integrated diagnostic reagent company focused on molecular oncology and early detection of cancer, with emphasis on microRNAs. Comprised of over 100 employees spun out of Ambion, Asuragen is empowered with not only a high level of scientific expertise, but also assay development, business infrastructure and an established cGMP manufacturing facility that allow it to span the spectrum of discovery, production and commercialization. For more information, visit www.asuragen.com. About Max Planck Society / Garching Innovation Founded in 1948 as successor of the Kaiser Wilhelm Society, the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science is an independent, non-profit scientific research organisation. Max Planck Society maintains almost 80 research institutes, the majority of which are in Germany. The research institutes focus on natural sciences, life sciences, social sciences, and the humanities. The Max Planck Society is particularly active in new and innovative research areas that are outside the scope of German universities. Max Planck Society has produced 16 Nobel laureates since its foundation. Garching Innovation GmbH, a 100% subsidiary of Max Planck Society, acts as its technology transfer agency. Garching Innovation is responsible for the commercialisation of intellectual property created within the research institutes of Max Planck Society by granting licenses to the industry. For more information, please visit www.mpg.de and www.garching-innovation.de. |
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