Exiqon A/S (NASDAQ OMX: EXQ.CO), a leading supplier of high-value gene expression analysis products, and AROS Applied Biotechnology A/S, a leading supplier of total genomic solutions services, today announced that they have signed a Center of Excellence agreement allowing AROS to provide real-time PCR services based on Exiqon’s miRCURY LNA™ Universal RT microRNA PCR product line. The agreement is part of Exiqon’s certified service provider program.

LNA™-based microRNA profiling holds great promise as a non-invasive way to discover important new biomarkers for a wide range of diseases and biological processes. The extreme sensitivity obtained by inclusion of LNA™ in the PCR primers allows for the profiling of non-invasive samples like serum and plasma where the quantity of RNA is extremely low.

“We see an increased demand for high quality miRNA analysis from both pharmaceutical companies and research institution. AROS has had a very positive collaboration with Exiqon for a number of years. We are convinced that Exiqon’s miRCURY LNA™ Universal RT microRNA PCR product line is a strong addition to our offering”, said Brian Sørensen, CEO at AROS.

“We are excited to include AROS in our Center of Excellence program”, said Henrik M Pfundheller, Ph.D., SVP Sales & Marketing and added: “AROS is a well-reputed company with strong experience working with i.e. blood samples from clinical studies. We see an increasing demand for microRNA profiling from body fluids such as serum/plasma and urine, and we are confident that we have a strong partner in AROS”.