Exiqon A/S (NASDAQ OMX: EXQ), a leading supplier of high-value gene expression analysis products, today announced the launch 3rd generation of their microRNA qPCR Focus Panel for preclinical toxicology research.

The Toxicology Focus microRNA PCR Panels V3 will allow researchers engaged in toxicology and organ injury studies to analyze a panel of carefully selected microRNAs in biofluids such as urine and serum or plasma. A complete panel of 87 wet-lab validated microRNA assays is available for four species; human, rat, monkey and dog. The Toxicology Focus microRNA PCR Panels V3 also contains 8 control assays specifically developed by Exiqon to ensure that rigorous quality control of the biofluid samples is an integrated part of the process.

A white paper recently published by Exiqon details the use of the new Toxicology panel to perform microRNA profiling from rat urine after administration of a nephrotoxin. The work was done in collaboration with a leading pharmaceutical company and illustrates how the use of Exiqon’s Toxicology Focus microRNA PCR Panel enables reliable and accurate identification microRNAs related to organ damage in an animal model.

In a comment, Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing Henrik M. Pfundheller said: “The interest in using microRNA as biomarkers for toxicology and injury studies has really taken off in the last year. Through our pharmaceutical customers and our participation in international committees dedicated to developing assays for monitoring toxicity of new drug candidates, we have learned about the specific requirements as well as the challenges involved in these types of studies. This means that we can tailor our product and service offering specifically to this rapidly growing market”.

The Toxicology Focus microRNA PCR Panels are based on the most sensitive microRNA qPCR platform available today. Accurate and reliable microRNA profiling from minimal sample amounts is possible without the use of a potentially bias-introducing pre-amplification step. In combination with the miRCURY™ RNA isolation kit for biofluids and Exiqon’s RNA spike-in kit, it offers an integrated and simple workflow that is easily adapted to high-throughput applications and well-suited for a clinical automatable workflow, fully compatible with standard FDA-approved qPCR equipment.

The Toxicology Focus microRNA PCR Panels are compatible with all other products in the miRCURY LNA™ Universal RT microRNA PCR system product line including the data analysis software. This means that the entire work process from sample to data can be completed in 3 hours.

Exiqon offers a complete range of PCR products for microRNA analysis, which includes ready-to-use panels for genome-wide screening of human, mouse and rat microRNAs, numerous focus panels, the fully flexible Pick & Mix panels, spike-in kits, as well as RT and ExiLENT Master Mix kits, sample preparation and a unique qPCR data analysis software. Exiqon also offers an easy to use design software for high quality design of custom microRNA qPCR assays (https://www.exiqon.com/custom-PCR).

The miRCURY LNA™ microRNA PCR is also accessible via Exiqon Services.

Information on the new Toxicology Focus microRNA PCR Panel is available at Exiqon’s website: https://www.exiqon.com/toxicology-mirna-pcr