Abbott Laboratories and Tecan announced a long-term supply agreement for the development and commercialization of an automated sample preparation system for molecular diagnostic assays.

The system is based on a novel magnetic separator system, proprietary to Abbott, which will be integrated onto Tecan's Genesis Freedom automated robotic and liquid handling workstation. This new system is designed to streamline the nucleic acid sample preparation steps prior to performing Abbott's molecular diagnostic assays for hepatitis C and HIV, marketed outside the United States, and other future molecular assays from Abbott and its alliance partner, Celera Diagnostics. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Before a biological sample can be analyzed for its DNA or RNA content, a variety of complex procedures must be performed by skilled laboratory technicians to isolate, purify and concentrate the nucleic acid. The majority of clinical laboratory customers currently perform these time-consuming preparation procedures manually.

"By automating the sample preparation process, we can provide our laboratory customers the ability to perform molecular diagnostic tests more easily and more efficiently, helping them reduce costs and enhance productivity," said Edward L. Michael, vice president, Immunoassay and Clinical Chemistry, Abbott Laboratories. This agreement will further strengthen our expanding portfolio of products in molecular diagnostics, one of the fastest-growing segments of the market."

Under the terms of the agreement, Tecan will be responsible for manufacturing the instruments and Abbott will distribute them worldwide and provide technical support and service. Initial data using the automated sample preparation system indicate excellent reproducibility and preparation of nucleic acids with high yield, which will complement the sensitivity and dynamic range characteristics of Abbott's molecular assays.

"Abbott has demonstrated feasibility using a highly innovative magnetic separator system that offers major advantages for nucleic acid sample preparation," said Christoph Mauracher, Head of Global Marketing for Clinical Diagnostics at Tecan. "Our automated Genesis Freedom platform is the ideal partner for this technology since it will significantly increase the throughput and productivity of both nucleic acid sample preparation and subsequent important clinical diagnostic tests."

The worldwide launch of the automated sample preparation system is planned for the first quarter of 2003.