Genetrix, the Spanish biotechnology holding company, through its X-Pol Biotech subsidiary, has signed a global and exclusive licensing agreement for its “Qualiphi” polymerase product with QIAGEN, the global sample and assay technologies company. Qualiphi is a DNA polymerase that was licensed from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) in 2010. Due to its unique properties, first studies suggest that it has the potential to improve the amplifications of whole genomes and large stretches of DNA.

Polymerases are the key tools used in the amplification of large DNA fragments and complete genomes, and are an essential tool for any research that analyses or modifies DNA from any species. Primarily due to significant growth in the field of DNA sequencing and personalised medicine, the market growth for such whole genome amplification polymerases is estimated to grow by about 25% in the upcoming years. Current estimates have calculated the global isothermal DNA amplification market alone to be of up to €70 million.

Qualiphi was generated in the laboratory of Professor Margarita Salas with the collaboration of Professor Luis Blanco. Using this research, the GENETRIX team has developed a product with unique characteristics.

Pilar de la Huerta, CEO of the GENETRIX Group, commented: “X-pol is committed to becoming a worldwide reference in the development of cutting edge DNA and sequencing technologies, and this agreement with QIAGEN is an important validation for the team and the first step towards this goal. It is as well in commercial terms significant for X-Pol and the group.”

GENETRIX`s first global licensing agreement

About GENETRIX

Genetrix is a Spanish biotechnology holding company that was founded in 2001 as an incubator for Spanish biotechnology companies established in academic settings. Since inception, Genetrix has invested more than €36 million in nine companies focused on three biotechnology areas: healthcare technologies, human therapies and diagnosis.

The portfolio includes holdings in six companies, including Cellerix-Tigenix SA, which was initially established in the holding company and after nine years of operations merged with the Belgian public listed company Tigenix, X-Pol Biotech, which focuses on the development of tools and technologies for the DNA amplification and sequencing market, and Coretherapix, a company centred on developing cellular therapy for treating acute myocardial infarction.

                                                          www.genetrix.es

About X-Pol Biotech

A biotechnology company created by Prof. Luis Blanco and Genetrix in 2008, centred on the development of tools and technologies for the DNA amplification and sequencing market. Genetrix currently controls 84% of the company. Other shareholders include renowned scientists, Professor Luis Blanco and Professor Margarita Salas.

                                                      www.xpolbiotech.com