Ambion Licenses RNA Stabilization Technology to Celera

NEW YORK, Sept. 6-Ambion's diagnostics division has licensed its RNA stabilization technology to Celera Diagnostics, the company said today.

Through the deal, Celera gets nonexclusive worldwide rights to the technology, which it will use to develop molecular diagnostic assays. Ambion will also manufacture custom reagents for Celera.

Ambion's Armored RNA technology, a system jointly developed by Ambion and Centron, protects RNA by packaging it in bacteriophage coat proteins. The technique is useful in producing long-lasting, stable RNA controls for assays.

Celera Diagnostics is a joint venture between Celera Genomics and Applied Biosystems.

Ambion RNA Diagnostics is a division of Ambion, a RNA-focused tools company based in Austin, Texas.