Qiagen N.V. (QGEN) unveiled an advanced initiative to enter the field of next-generation sequencing or NGS that aims to establish these technologies as routine processes used in new areas such as clinical research and molecular diagnostics.
Qiagen said it is in the advanced stages of creating sample-to-result, efficient and cost-effective NGS workflow solutions. These will combine a broad range of Qiagen products - including automated sample preparation solutions (nucleic acid extraction, DNA enrichment, library preparation and targeted gene analysis panels) - with a previously undisclosed next-generation benchtop sequencer in development with Intelligent Bio-Systems, Inc., a privately held company that Qiagen has acquired.
New bioinformatics, including solutions emerging from a new collaboration with SAP AG, will be incorporated into the workflows. A first sample-to-result NGS solution is expected to be launched next year, while details on specifications and launch plans are set to be released in early 2013.
Qiagen noted that it intends to offer this new product portfolio across all of its customer classes, with priority focus on clinical research in Academia and Pharma as well as in some Molecular Diagnostics franchises, including select areas of Personalized Healthcare.
The next-generation sequencing market is estimated to be more than $1 billion a year and growing rapidly as the use of these technologies expands into new areas.
NGS technologies are also expected to complement established routine molecular technologies such as real-time PCR.
Qiagen said it currently anticipates the investments planned to create this new NGS portfolio to be dilutive to adjusted earnings per share by approximately $0.01 for full-year results in 2012 and by approximately $0.02 in 2013, but to be accretive to full-year results in 2014.
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com