Marligen Exclusively Licenses Genisphere Labeling Technology for the Detection of microRNAs on the xMAP® Platform

Business Wire,  April 10, 2008  

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Marligen Launches Vantage[TM] Line for the Purification, Labeling and Detection of microRNAs

IJAMSVILLE, Md. -- Marligen Biosciences, Inc., a supplier of innovative products for the life sciences research market, will become the exclusive provider of Genisphere's biotinylated labeling kits for detection of microRNAs on the xMAP([R]) multiplex platform. The microRNA labeling kits using Genisphere Inc.'s 3DNA([TM]) dendrimer signal amplification technology will be an integral product to Marligen's new offering supporting researchers studying microRNAs. The Vantage[TM] product line includes reagent kits for purifying, labeling and detecting microRNA species.

Genisphere's unique 3DNA([TM]) dendrimer technology is based on highly branched DNA structures serving as scaffolds for multiple biotins. The use of Genisphere's signal amplification technology in combination with the Vantage[TM] microRNA detection panels offers researchers a fast and cost-effective system to directly profile multiple microRNAs in a single sample. The complete system offers exceptional sensitivity and throughput capabilities of greater than 100 samples in a single day and is compatible with total RNA or enriched RNA including degraded RNA from archived tissues. The initial Vantage[TM] microRNA Detection Panels are designed for profiling the relative abundance of different microRNA species known to be relevant in oncology. The Vantage[TM] Products will be launched at the upcoming annual meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research.

"High throughput profiling of MicroRNAs presents a challenge when combining rapid, effective labeling with improved detection sensitivity," said Dr. Robert Getts, Director of R&D at Genisphere. "The complete Vantage[TM] package, having integrated our rapid 3DNA[TM] dendrimer microRNA labeling method with Marligen's carefully designed detection panels, provides an optimized solution with consistent performance and much needed sensitivity on the xMAP[R] high-throughput detection platform."

"Because microRNA play such an important role in tumor development and progression, it is vital we offer researchers innovative tools that allow them to profile these biological markers in archived samples. Our collaboration with Genisphere allows us to provide one of the most rapid and sensitive methods to screen directly from such samples," said James Lazar, Chief Scientific Officer of Marligen Biosciences. "This will not only advance basic research but should expedite the application of microRNA detection in the diagnosis of cancer."

About Marligen

Marligen Biosciences, Inc. (Ijamsville, MD) develops, manufactures and markets innovative products for the life sciences research market. The Company offers products and services for studying gene regulation, genotyping and sample preparation. Its multiplex assays for gene regulation include technologies for identifying changes in microRNA and transcription factor activation profiles that reveal differences in molecular signaling, regulation, toxic responses and disease pathology. Marligen's genotyping offering includes both pre-defined and customer-specified multiplex panels for analyzing genetic variations associated with predisposition to disease, response to drug therapy and ancestry determination. The Company provides a broad range of high performance plasmid purification kits for research applications from routine cloning to highly demanding gene transfer experiments as well as sample preparation products for RNA, microRNA and other gene regulation studies. For more information, visit www.marligen.com.

About Genisphere

Genisphere Inc. (Hatfield, Pa.), a subsidiary of Datascope Corp. (Montvale, N.J.), is a manufacturer of kits and reagents used for the ultra-sensitive detection of nucleic acids and proteins. Genisphere's signal amplification product line is based on its proprietary 3DNA[TM] Dendrimers, highly branched DNA molecules capable of delivering up to hundreds of labels per analyte. 3DNA[TM] Dendrimers can be generated in a variety of sizes, deliver a variety of different labels, and target a wide range of biomolecules, making the 3DNA[TM] Dendrimers extremely versatile and enabling them to be used in a wide variety of applications. 3DNA[TM] Dendrimers have been adapted for use in DNA and protein microarrays, ELISAs, bead-based assays, flow cytometry, in-situ detection of nucleic acids and proteins, and many other applications. Genisphere has also expanded their product line to include proprietary whole transcriptome amplification, through their SenseAmp[TM] and RampUP[TM] product lines. Genisphere distributes products worldwide through direct sales and distributorships. Genisphere employees strive to deliver innovative research tools to the research, clinical and diagnostic communities. For more information, visit www.genisphere.com.

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