Advertise With UsAdvertise on our extensive network of industry websites and newsletters.
Get the PBR newsletterSign up to our free email to get all the latest PBR
news.Qiagen, a provider of sample and assay technologies, has launched a new test to determine mutations of the K-ras gene. The K-ras gene is mutated in between 35% and 45% of metastatic colorectal cancer patients, the company said.
Subscribe to our email newsletter
According to the company, the new ‘PyroMark Q24 K-ras assay-kit’ is able to detect all major and minor known mutations in the K-ras codons 12, 13 and 61, and, in addition, allows the discovery of new mutations as well.
Qiagen’s new ‘PyroMark Q24 K-ras assay-kit’ is CE-marked for use in second-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer together with Erbitux or Vectibix and will be available near the beginning of 2009. Qiagen intends to launch this assay for in vitro diagnostic use in the US as well.
This assay is said to be the first molecular assay Qiagen is launching based on Pyrosequencing, a fundamental technology for short-length, high resolution sequence analysis and quantification. Qiagen has acquired the technology and the associated business from Biotage.
Peer Schatz, CEO of Qiagen, said: “The design and performance of this assay demonstrates the great potential which Pyrosequencing has for molecular testing in research and molecular diagnostics and underscores the value of this technology as an integral part of our assay and detection portfolio.”