Affymetrix, Genisphere In Strategic MicroRNA Pact

Affymetrix has entered into an exclusive agreement with Genisphere to offer the company’s FlashTag Biotin HSR Reagents designed for Affymetrix. According to the company, the miRNA reagents provide streamlined, high-fidelity target preparation methods yielding high quality data and reproducibility when used with the Affymetrix GeneChip Arrays. Affymetrix-branded reagent kits will be launched in early 2012.
 
“The workflow for the Genisphere’s FlashTag HSR solution combines speed with sensitivity to yield a robust miRNA labeling procedure for studying this novel class of biomarkers,” said Bob Getts, vice president of R&D at Genisphere. “Launched in March 2009, the FlashTag product line has provided a powerful standardized tool for investigating miRNA expression when coupled with the GeneChip miRNA Arrays. This licensing agreement combines the technologies from both companies for the benefit of our mutual customers.”

“This strategic alliance with Genisphere really demonstrates Affymetrix’ commitment to expanding our GeneChip Array customer base into relevant applications in cancer and related markets where miRNAs are known to be differentially expressed,” said Kevin Cannon Ph.D., general manager of the Gene Expression Business Unit at Affymetrix. “The new miRNA reagents designed specifically for Affymetrix GeneChip Arrays provide researchers with the best tools to access challenging samples and interrogate them on the world’s leading microarray platforms. This reagent addition provides researchers with the tools to move from a whole-genome view of complex biological systems using the GeneChip miRNA Arrays to single-gene validation with QuantiGene View miRNA Assays.”