Luminex Corporation announced the execution of three agreements with Bayer Diagnostics, a division of Bayer Corporation, covering a license agreement and related supply agreement for Luminex's proprietary xMAP technology, as well as a multi-year agreement relating to the development of a new cellular analyzer.

The license agreement grants Bayer Diagnostics the right, under Luminex's patents, to develop and distribute in-vitro diagnostic products based on Luminex's proprietary xMAP technology. For these rights, Bayer Diagnostics will pay Luminex a one-time non-refundable license fee. Luminex also will receive royalties from the commercialization of future Bayer Diagnostics' products based on Luminex technology. A related supply agreement covers the terms under which Bayer Diagnostics will purchase from Luminex instruments and xMAP microspheres.

In connection with the multi-year cellular analyzer agreement, Bayer will design and market a new cellular analyzer based on Luminex's proprietary technology and Bayer's proprietary methods and software. The new cellular instrument is expected to target hospital and reference laboratories performing flow cytometry to monitor immunological status as well as hematological (blood) disease. Under this agreement, Bayer obtained from Luminex worldwide rights to market and sell the cellular analyzer and associated reagent kits. Luminex will manufacture the instrument platform and receive royalties from the commercialization of Bayer's product based on the cellular analyzer, as well as revenue from the sale of the instruments.

"These agreements will permit Bayer to distribute the Luminex 100 instrument along with Bayer assays developed for immunochemistry, molecular probe testing and cellular analysis," said Hans Hiller, senior vice president, Laboratory Testing at Bayer Diagnostics. "We consider this technology an important addition to our platform portfolio. It will enable future development of low-density arrays, enhancing clinical diagnosis of complex diseases, and the management of chronic disease. In addition, by utilizing the Luminex technology for cellular analysis, we have the capability to examine multiple markers for disease management at a cellular level."

"These agreements with Bayer Diagnostics, one of the world's leading diagnostic companies, represents a significant milestone for Luminex and our proprietary xMAP technology," stated Randy Marfin, VP Business Development for Luminex Corporation. "We believe the addition of Bayer Diagnostics' broad testing menu to the growing list of commercial diagnostic assays can significantly expand the capabilities and acceptance of the Luminex xMAP technology. We expect the relationship created by these agreements to vastly improve our visibility and increase our product penetration throughout the life sciences industry."

Luminex's open platform xMAP system is a proprietary technology that performs up to 100 assays simultaneously on a single drop of fluid with the capability for both medium- and high-throughput assay applications. xMAP combines the use of low-cost microsphere-based assays with small lasers, advanced digital signal processors and proprietary software to offer greater speed, precision and flexibility over current bioassay technologies.