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QIAGEN Introduces Novel Technology for Customized RNAi Assay Products


WEBWIRE

Worldwide first solution for flexible siRNA selection provides new dimension of utility and performance in one of life sciences’ most promising disciplines

Venlo, The Netherlands, November 13, 2006 --- QIAGEN, (Nasdaq: QGEN; Frankfurt, Prime Standard: QIA) the world’s leading provider of products for pre-analytical sample preparation and a leader in molecular diagnostics, has introduced FlexiPlate siRNA, the worldwide first product line for fully customized sets of siRNAs for RNA Interference (RNAi) research.

Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are little RNA molecules which silence specific genes by inhibiting their expression. RNAi and the ability to knockdown any gene is expected to create new benefits in the future development of science and therapeutics. This year’s Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded to Craig C. Mello and Andrew Z. Fire for research in the field of RNAi.

Previously, biologists had to rely on pre-defined sets of siRNAs. Now QIAGEN’s novel FlexiPlate siRNA ensures a new dimension of flexibility by allowing users to determine not only the exact RNAi assay, but also exactly the amount of siRNAs needed for their individual requirements. These advantages directly result in significant cost savings in RNAi projects.

Efficient processing allows screening of more targets, hence more RNAi projects can be completed. In high throughput RNAi-based screening, Flexiplate is expected to lead to faster, less expensive and more specific research . In low throughput RNAi, FlexiPlate allows customers to quantify the number of RNAi assays needed, thereby often leading to the ability to use 7 times as many assays when compared to unquantified offerings.

Customers can select and order any set of siRNAs interactively via QIAGEN’s GeneGlobe web portal which hosts the world’s largest database of matching siRNA assays for all human and mouse genes as well as the corresponding gene expression assays. The selected siRNA sets are then quickly delivered in standard 96-well plates, which allow direct processing by customers.

“The new FlexiPlate siRNA product line provides a dramatic step forward for research applying RNAi. It expands QIAGEN’s already broad portfolio of RNAi solutions and capabilities and demonstrates the company’s well established and expanding leadership in this field”, said Dr. Bettina Haedrich, Global Product Manager RNAi at QIAGEN. In 2005 QIAGEN launched the w orldwide first human whole genome siRNA set, followed this year by the world’s first siRNA sets for whole mouse genome. “Most researchers know the problem of having too much siRNA or too many siRNAs for their experiments. With FlexiPlate siRNAs and GeneGlobe technology, they find now an effective tool which makes their RNA screening more flexible, economical and convenient”, Dr. Haedrich added.



About RNAi and siRNA:

RNAi is a mechanism in molecular biology to “silence” genes by preventing the formation (or expression) of the proteins which those genes code for. The expression is inhibited by the introduction of little RNA molecules into the cell. These so-called small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) bind to and destroy their messenger RNA targets (mRNA), preventing the synthesis of final proteins, which - for instance - could account for certain diseases. Market estimates show that the global RNAi market could grow annually up to 30 per cent, accumulating US$ 330 million in worldwide revenues by 2010. QIAGEN believes it is the market and technology leader in RNAi products used in pharmaceutical research.



Milestones in QIAGEN’s Leadership as a supplier of RNAi:

2006


Worldwide first mouse whole genome siRNA set


Fully validated human kinase siRNA set

2005


Worldwide first human whole genome siRNA set


Matching RNAi & qRT-PCR assays: Gene Globe


Developed superior HiPerfect Transfection Reagent

2004


Exclusively licensed neural network design for RNAi from Novartis


First whole genome human library set

2003


First purification methods that allows HTS synthesis


First human druggable genome siRNA set

2002


World-wide first RNAi library set for cancer



About QIAGEN:

QIAGEN N.V., a Netherlands holding company, is a leading provider of innovative technologies and products for pre-analytical sample preparation and molecular diagnostics solutions. QIAGEN has developed a comprehensive portfolio of more than 500 proprietary, consumable products and automated solutions for sample collection, and nucleic acid and protein handling, separation, and purification. QIAGEN also supplies diagnostic kits, tests, and assays for human and veterinary molecular diagnostics. The company’s products are sold to academic research markets, and to leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies; as well as to diagnostics laboratories. QIAGEN also provides purification and testing solutions to applied testing markets: such as forensics, animal or food testing, and pharmaceutical process control.



QIAGEN employs more than 1,800 people worldwide. QIAGEN products are sold through a dedicated sales force and a global network of distributors in more than 40 countries.

Further information about QIAGEN can be found at www.qiagen.com.



Certain of the statements contained in this news release may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. To the extent that any of the statements contained herein relating to QIAGEN’s products, markets, strategy or operating results are forward-looking, such statements are based on current expectations that involve a number of uncertainties and risks. Such uncertainties and risks include, but are not limited to, risks associated with management of growth and international operations (including the effects of currency fluctuations and risks of dependency on logistics), variability of operating results, the commercial development of the applied testing markets, clinical research markets and proteomics markets, nucleic acid-based molecular diagnostics market, and genetic vaccination and gene therapy markets, competition, rapid or unexpected changes in technologies, fluctuations in demand for QIAGEN’s, products (including fluctuations due to the level and timing of customers’ funding, budgets, and other factors), difficulties in successfully adapting QIAGEN’s products to integrated solutions and producing such products, the ability of QIAGEN to identify and develop new products and to differentiate its products from competitors’ products, market acceptance of QIAGEN’s new products, the integration of acquisitions of technologies and businesses, and the timing of product introductions by our commercial partners. For further information, refer to the discussions in reports that QIAGEN has filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).



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