NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – Life Technologies will commercialize Gen-Probe's Elucigene QST*R aneuploidy test kits under the Applied Biosystems name in certain markets around the world, the firm announced over the weekend.
Life Technologies will sell the test kits in Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, Latin America, and Canada, under the agreement. However, the kits will not be available for sale in the US.
According to Andy Felton, director of the Genetic Systems Division of Life Technologies, the kits will enable rapid analysis "of the most common viable human aneuploidies or chromosomal abnormalities, including Down syndrome."
The kits are labeled for use with Applied Biosystems' capillary electrophoresis systems, including the firm's new 3500 Series Genetic Analyzer. Life Technologies expects to begin selling the kits in mid-2010.
"This partnership will enable a wider global presence for our technology which we deeply believe helps improve prenatal care," Mike Webb, general manager of Elucigene products for Gen-Probe Life Sciences, said in a statement.
Financial and other terms of the alliance were not disclosed.