Northrop Grumman and Luminex Collaborate to Create Next Generation Autonomous Biodetectors

AUSTIN, Texas, March 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Luminex Corporation (Nasdaq: LMNX), the worldwide leader in multiplexed solutions, today announced that it has signed a teaming agreement with Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) to collaborate in the creation of next generation biodetectors that will continuously monitor the environment and serve as an early warning system to alert authorities regarding the release of potentially harmful airborne agents.

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100104/LUMINEXLOGO)

Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will work together to develop a new fully autonomous biological detection system. The system is being developed for evaluation by the United States government as part of a national network of fully automated environment monitoring devices.

"When it comes to environmental detection of biological pathogens, fast and accurate answers are essential," said David Tilles, vice president of CBRNE Defense at Northrop Grumman's Advanced Concepts & Technologies Division. "Luminex's xMAP Technology gives us a cost-effective, flexible capability that can quickly and accurately detect multiple biohazards at once.  This flexibility allows us to meet today's requirements, and to adapt to future threats that may emerge."

The next generation biodetectors will form a fully autonomous network that will continuously monitor the air for potential biothreat agents.

"We are delighted to be collaborating with Northrop Grumman, a leader and innovator in the global security market," said Patrick J. Balthrop, president and CEO of Luminex Corporation. "The capabilities of our xMAP Technology are highly suited to applications such as monitoring for harmful pathogens where speed, accuracy and definitive, actionable answers are paramount."

Luminex's xMAP Technology will allow the next generation biodetectors to run many simultaneous tests on a single sample.  xMAP Technology is used throughout scientific research, drug discovery and clinical diagnostics, as well as in biodefense and agro-biotechnology.  To date, more than 6,700 Luminex instruments have been placed in labs and clinics worldwide, and over 50 products based on this technology have been cleared by FDA.

About Luminex Corporation

Luminex Corporation develops, manufactures and markets proprietary biological testing technologies with applications throughout the diagnostic and life sciences industries. The Company's xMAP® multiplex solutions include an open-architecture, multi-analyte technology platform that delivers fast, accurate and cost-effective bioassay results to markets as diverse as pharmaceutical drug discovery, clinical diagnostics and biomedical research, including the genomics and proteomics research markets. The Company's xMAP technology is sold worldwide and is already in use in leading clinical laboratories as well as major pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotechnology companies. Further information on Luminex Corporation or xMAP technology can be obtained at www.luminexcorp.com.

SOURCE Luminex Corp.