Advanced Cell Diagnostics and Leica Biosystems Begin Co-marketing Fully Automated RNA in situ Hybridization Assay

MELBOURNE, Australia and HAYWARD, California, August 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Leica Biosystems and Advanced Cell Diagnostics, Inc. (ACD) have announced the co-marketing of ACD's RNAscope^® LS ISH assays with Leica Biosystems' BOND RX research staining platform*. This agreement provides researchers with an integrated and fully automated ISH solution. The market-leading RNAscope LS reagent kits and ISH probes are available from ACD while the BOND RX instrument and associated reagents are supplied by Leica Biosystems.

ACD's RNAscope assays represent a major technological advance for in situ RNA detection. For the first time, robust single RNA molecule detection is available for formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue. Since their commercialization three years ago, these assays have been adopted across the globe by major pharma biotech companies and leading research institutions for drug discovery, translational research, and the development of clinical and companion diagnostic tests. The RNAscope LS assays are fully automated on the BOND RX platform. This open and flexible system automates staining to provide a fast, high-throughput workflow with exceptional consistency and minimal hands-on time.

"Automation is essential for pharma, biotech, translational labs and academic institutions to apply the RNA ISH technology to a wide range of biomarker analysis applications." said Dr. Yuling Luo, President and CEO of ACD. "We are very pleased to work with Leica Biosystems to expand our automated RNAscope solutions in response to the needs of our rapidly growing customer base."

Dr. David Atkins, VP Advanced Staining at Leica Biosystems added: "Leica is excited to announce the availability of ACD's RNAscope Assays fully automated on the BOND RX. This is another example of how, with its openness and flexibility, the BOND RX is providing researchers with enhanced tools to help speed-up important discoveries and improve cancer diagnostics".

*For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

Learn more about ACD at http://www.acdbio.com and about RNAscope^® Automated Solutions at acdbio.com/products/automated-assays.

Further information about Leica Biosystems can be found at http://www.LeicaBiosystems.com.

SOURCE Advanced Cell Diagnostics Inc. (ACD)