HAMBURG, Germany ¿ Qiagen, of Hilden, Germany, and Affymetrix Inc., of Santa Clara, CA, signed an agreement to develop and commercialize nucleic acids sample preparation solutions designed for use with Affymetrix¿ gene chip arrays.

¿Affymetrix is by far the established leader in the DNA array field,¿ Uli Schriek, business development manager of Qiagen, told BioWorld International. ¿It has a very strong intellectual property position, and we view DNA arrays as a rapidly expanding market. The planned preanalytical solutions will enhance stability and sensitivity and offer easier handling, separation and purification of samples.¿

The collaboration focuses on the RNA-based expression profiling solution provided by Affymetrix. ¿However we are also prepared to provide technology platforms compatible to the diagnostic, low density arrays, that will enter the mass market soon,¿ said Peer Schatz, Qiagen¿s chief financial officer.

The agreement is nonexclusive for both partners. Further terms were not disclosed. ¿ Ludger Wess