Qiagen Fortifies PCR-Based Solutions with Licenses from Roche and Idaho Technology

Qiagen acquired licenses from Roche and Idaho Technology related to the use of instrumentation and reagents for PCR-based molecular testing. The agreements cover thermal cycler rights and real-time PCR methods for diagnostics and all other applications.

In addition, the deals also include rights for high-resolution melting-curve analysis (HRM) technology. This PCR platform  can be used on Qiagen’s Rotor-Gene Q and adds to traditional real-time PCR. The company believes that it opens up a broad array of applications such as mutation discovery, pathogen detection, and methylation analysis.
 
Qiagen says that it is the first Idaho Technology/Roche licensee that can offer HRM-related instruments and reagents in all formats and for all purposes in research and diagnostics worldwide.
 
“This additional IP portfolio enables us to develop and market PCR solutions based on the most advanced technologies for molecular diagnostics,” says Achim Ribbe, executive director business development. “HRM allows additional differentiation for genotyping and can be extremely well leveraged on our Rotor-Gene Q HRM instrument.

“We now have a PCR intellectual property estate that we believe is truly unique. It puts us in the position to offer our customers in molecular diagnostics, pharma, applied testing, and life science research the latest PCR technology running on the most versatile platform and covering all markets and fields including human in vitro diagnostics.”
 
Qiagen has already launched new HRM products and will continue to release new equipment that capitalizes on the complete license portfolio as well as its own intellectual property, including a range of HRM PCR Kits and a new software solution for HRM-based genotyping. The company is preparing submissions of the Rotor-Gene Q and related sample and assay technologies for regulatory approval in both the U.S. and Europe.