Life Technologies Supports Global Effort to Help Accelerate Emergency Screening of Novel Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)
CARLSBAD, Calif., June 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: LIFE) announces that its Applied Biosystems® 7500 Fast Dx Real-Time PCR instrument is suitable for use with the CDC Novel Coronavirus 2012 Real-time RT-PCR Assay, which has received Emergency Use Authorization for detection in patient specimens of the novel Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). To date the virus has been found in Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), France, Germany, Italy, Tunisia and the United Kingdom. Globally, since September 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been informed of a total of 64 laboratory-confirmed cases of the infection with MERS-CoV, including 38 deaths.
Additionally, the CDC Novel Coronavirus 2012 Assay can be performed using Life's SuperScript III One-Step qRT-PCR reagent kit. The Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) Assay is intended to quickly monitor the spread of the pathogen and thwart a potential pandemic. To support this global need, Life Technologies is increasing production of its reagents and shipping them to labs around the world. This test has been authorized only for the diagnosis of Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and not for the diagnosis of any other viruses or pathogens.
"We are working continually with our partners to improve capabilities, particularly tests that work more quickly and simply on more people," said Mark Stevenson, president and chief operating officer at Life Technologies. "Our technology aids public health labs around the globe to identify threats and develop rapid detection kits."
The test has been authorized by FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization for use by qualified laboratories. The CDC Novel Coronavirus 2012 Assay has not been FDA cleared or approved.
The CDC Novel Coronavirus 2012 Assay is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of the emergency use of in vitro diagnostics for detection of MERS-CoV under section 564(b)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C section 360bbb-3(b)(1).
Last year, Life Technologies established the Global Influenza Network, a partnership of scientists at a number of the world's leading government public health organizations, veterinary agencies and research institutes who collaborate in an effort to increase the speed and efficiency of influenza monitoring and vaccine development. This network builds upon Life Technologies' strong history of working with the CDC, the WHO and public health labs to combat virus outbreaks:
- Last month, the company's 7500 Fast Dx Real-Time PCR instrument was indicated as the sole instrument for use with the CDC's influenza A (H7/N9) virus, which received emergency use authorization for detection in patient specimens of the novel influenza A (H7/N9) virus.
- In 2011, the company developed a custom assay to accurately detect the E. coli bacterium that spread through Europe. The assay was developed after company researchers, using samples supplied by scientists at University Hospital Munster, completed the DNA sequencing and analysis work on the deadly E. coli strain using the Ion PGM™ Sequencer.
- In 2009, Life Technologies formed a special 24-hour-a-day task force to respond to global requests for assistance with the H1N1 outbreak.
The SuperScript III One-Step qRT-PCR kit is for research use only; not for use in diagnostic procedures.
About Life Technologies
Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: LIFE) is a global biotechnology company that is committed to providing the most innovative products and services to leading customers in the fields of scientific research, genetic analysis and applied sciences. With a presence in more than 180 countries, the company's portfolio of 50,000 end-to-end solutions is secured by more than 5,000 patents and licenses that span the entire biological spectrum -- scientific exploration, molecular diagnostics, 21st century forensics, regenerative medicine and agricultural research. Life Technologies has approximately 10,000 employees and had sales of $3.8 billion in 2012.
Life Technologies' Safe Harbor Statement
This press release includes forward-looking statements about our anticipated results that involve risks and uncertainties. Some of the information contained in this press release, including, but not limited to, statements as to industry trends and Life Technologies' plans, objectives, expectations and strategy for its business, contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. When used, the words "believe," "plan," "intend," "anticipate," "target," "estimate," "expect" and the like, and/or future tense or conditional constructions ("will," "may," "could," "should," etc.), or similar expressions, identify certain of these forward-looking statements. Important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are detailed in filings made by Life Technologies with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Life Technologies undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
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SOURCE Life Technologies Corporation
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