Pharmaceutical Business review

Luminex licenses rights to microRNA assays

MicroRNAs are a group of small non-coding single stranded portions of RNA molecules that have been implicated as playing a critical role as regulators of developmental timing, neuronal differentiation, cell proliferation, programmed cell death and fat metabolism. The rights and potential applications cover both the life science research and clinical diagnostics markets.

The intellectual property was developed through a scientific collaboration of three eminent research institutions: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Dana – Farber Cancer Institute and the Broad Institute – a collaboration of MIT, Harvard University, and Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research.

“This agreement with MIT is an important milestone for Luminex in the commercialization of microRNA assay products. We believe the emerging microRNA field represents a promising new space with significant commercial potential,” stated Patrick Balthrop, president and CEO of Luminex Corporation.