Dx Assays expects to be one of the first centres in Singapore for assay development in which molecular diagnostics for infectious and genetic diseases will be developed
Qiagen and Bio One Capital have entered into a joint venture to establish Dx Assays.
The centre is expected to be fully operational by early 2008, employ more than 30 scientists and be equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
"The in-depth expertise and talent pool in biomedical research makes Singapore an ideal location for a centre for assay development", said Peer Schatz, CEO of Qiagen.
"This joint venture brings to Qiagen further resources to contribute to our goal to further broaden our global portfolio of molecular testing, to further accelerate our development speed and to expand our market and technology leadership in this fastest growing segment of diagnostics.
"Together with Bio One, we will support this new venture's expansion into what we expect to be one of the world's premier suppliers of molecular diagnostic assay development solutions to major pharmaceutical and biotech companies.
"We look forward to this significant increase of our assay development capacities and capabilities which currently includes assay development teams in Hamburg, Gaithersburg / Maryland and Shenzhen".
"Bio One Capital is pleased to enter into this venture with Qiagen to establish Singapore's first commercial entity that focuses on the development of molecular diagnostics," said Swee-Yeok Chu, CEO of Bio One Capital.
"Molecular diagnostics is a fast-growing and exciting field that increasingly impacts how diseases are detected and treated.
"Dx Assays will benefit tremendously from Qiagen's leading technological expertise and market presence in this sector.
"The company will also collaborate with research institutes and hospitals in this field and bring a strong commercial perspective to the ongoing research activities here.
"This combination of resources will enable Dx Assays to be a leading player in the field of molecular diagnostics".
The new Singapore venture is Qiagen's latest step in the expansion of its presence in the rapidly growing Asian markets.
With growth rates of up to 60%, Asia today is the company's fastest growing sector, with Singapore taking significant market share.
Qiagen's strategic expansion into the region began in 2005.
Today Qiagen maintains 12 Asian offices with approximately 300 employees, including more than 50 in Singapore.
Including the subsidiary in Japan, they contribute approximately 10% to Qiagen's overall net sales.
Molecular assays are used to make rare target material in samples, such as genetic material, visible.
These technologies include open assays (reagents) for the detection of DNA- and RNA sequences as well as target specific assays to detect the presence of, for instance, specific pathogens.
Qiagen believes its portfolio of molecular diagnostic assays is the broadest in the world in the segment of infectious disease diagnostics and includes the only test for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which has both FDA and CE-approvals.
