AUSTIN, Texas & SAN DIEGO, Feb 14, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN) and Asuragen, Inc., an oncologymolecular diagnostic company and molecular biology service provider,announced today that Asuragen has successfully completed IlluminaCertified Service Provider (CSPro(TM)) certification for geneexpression profiling. Asuragen is the first commercial serviceprovider to offer Illumina gene expression profiling services.Illumina, a San Diego, California based company, providesnext-generation tools for the large-scale analysis of geneticvariation and function.
"In response to customer requests, we are pleased to offer anadditional choice in Gene Expression Profiling with the Illuminaplatform," said Rollie Carlson, President of Asuragen. "The workperformed by Asuragen and Illumina to demonstrate proficiency in theCSPro program will assure customers quality data."
Asuragen is now accepting whole-genome (WG) samples for geneexpression profiling using Illumina's Human-6 Expression BeadChip. TheHuman-6 Expression BeadChip contains more than 46,000 gene targets andallows researchers to generate WG expression profiles. Combined withAsuragen's sample preparation, researchers can perform gene expressionprofiling from low amounts of starting sample, including thosetraditionally used in clinical settings, such as biopsies, fine needleaspirates, etc. Data from the Illumina platform is compatible withAsuragen's Standard Service Premium and Pathways Analysis Services.
"Our commitment to quality and innovative technologies is whatinspired us to become an Illumina CSPro. The Illumina platform allowsus to provide solutions to the experimental needs of our customers,"said Scott Hunicke-Smith, Vice President and General Manager ofAsuragen Services. "Recent results from the MicroArray Quality Controlproject confirmed that Illumina's gene expression technology iscapable of generating excellent quality and performance, and boostingthe number of detected genes." A summary of findings from the MAQCproject can be found at www.switchtoi.com.
"Illumina CSPro only includes organizations that provide customerswith industry-leading data quality and service in genetic analysis,"said Karen Possemato, Illumina's Director of Corporate Marketing."Asuragen is the first commercial service provider in the world toexpand its services to include Illumina's gene expression technology.This is a significant accomplishment for both companies, and furtherdemonstrates the expansion of our gene expression technology in thelife science community."
About Illumina CSPro
Illumina CSPro is a collaborative service provider partnershipdedicated to ensuring the delivery of the highest-quality dataavailable for genetic analysis applications. Illumina CSPros undergo arigorous two-phase certification process that include minimum datageneration, data certification and on-site audit of the facility andprocesses. For more information about the CSPro program, please visit www.illumina.com/cspro.
About Illumina
Illumina (www.illumina.com) is developing next-generation toolsfor the large-scale analysis of genetic variation and function.
About Asuragen
Asuragen, Inc. is a newly formed company that resulted from thesale, in March 2006, of the Research Products Division of Ambion, Inc.to Applied Biosystems Group. Asuragen is comprised of two of Ambion'sformer divisions, Diagnostics and Services, along with the formationof a new Discovery group dedicated to developing new technologies thatwill become cutting edge clinical products.
Asuragen provides a comprehensive range of molecular servicesenabling scientists to make more informed and reliable decisions.Asuragen's expertise in RNA serves as focal point for all of itsservices, including Gene Expression Profiling, microRNA ExpressionProfiling, data analysis and bioinformatics support, and nucleic acidisolation. Asuragen's GLP services are suitable for clinical researchstudies, pharmacogenomics, and biomarker discovery. For moreinformation, please visit www.asuragen.com.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities LitigationReform Act of 1995: This release may contain forward-lookingstatements that involve risks and uncertainties. Among the importantfactors that could cause actual results to differ materially fromthose in any forward-looking statements are the costs and outcome ofIllumina's litigation with Affymetrix, our ability to effectivelyintegrate our recent acquisition of Solexa, Inc., Illumina's abilityto further develop and commercialize its BeadArray technologies and todeploy new gene expression and genotyping products and applicationsfor its platform technology, Illumina's ability to manufacture robustSentrix(R) arrays and Oligator(R) oligonucleotides, Illumina's abilityto scale and integrate CyVera technology, and other factors detailedin the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commissionincluding its recent filings on Forms 10-K and 10-Q or in informationdisclosed in public conference calls, the date and time of which arereleased beforehand. Illumina disclaims any intent or obligation toupdate these forward-looking statements beyond the date of thisrelease.
Illumina, Inc.
Maurissa Bornstein, 858-332-4055
Public Relations Manager
mbornstein@illumina.com
or
Asuragen, Inc.
Scott Hunicke-Smith, 512-651-0191
Vice President of Services
shunickesmith@asuragen.com
SOURCE: Illumina, Inc.