The collaboration will empower human identification laboratories with superior tools and support needed to deliver more impactful outcomes.
SAN DIEGO, Calif. & HILDEN, Germany & GERMAN TOWN, Md. – (BUSINESS WIRE) — QIAGEN N.V. (NYSE: QGEN) (Frankfurt Prime Standard: QIA) and Verogen Inc. today announced a partnership to provide laboratories with superior tools and comprehensive support for implementing next-generation sequencing (NGS) human identification workflows.
The partnership with QIAGEN is a milestone-driven distribution and development agreement that grants QIAGEN rights to globally distribute both current and future Verogen products. Verogen and QIAGEN will also collaborate to commercialize Verogen’s forensically validated NGS workflows with QIAGEN’s sample prep automation to provide full sample to ID solutions for human identification laboratories.
“Our mission is to empower the human identification community with innovative tools that can deliver an identification, not just a DNA profile,” said Brett Williams, Chief Executive Officer at Verogen. “This partnership with QIAGEN will make it easier for the laboratories to provide more impactful answers. By combining Verogen’s industry-leading NGS-based product portfolio with QIAGEN’s gold-standard extraction, assay, and automation solutions, we can accelerate adoption and utilization of NGS in forensic operations”. “This combination brings together Verogen’s innovative NGS workflows with QIAGEN’s leading portfolio of Sample to Insight solutions, creating the most comprehensive product offering for forensics applications”, said Thierry Bernard, Chief Executive Officer at QIAGEN. “The partnership will drive the adoption of NGS in human identification as it will enable our customers to gain even better insights from their casework samples. This will ultimately strengthen justice systems all over the world.”
Verogen’s turnkey solutions for human identification laboratories combine industry-leading NGS sequencing instrumentation, proprietary library prep reagents, and sequencing consumables with sophisticated application-specific software. Through this partnership, QIAGEN will optimize its market-leading sample extraction and library prep automation capabilities for the Verogen ForenSeq® library prep kits, thereby enhancing both companies’ channel reach and presence to support the forensic market.
About Verogen
Verogen is a dedicated developer of DNA-based biometric human identification products for analysis of forensic genomic samples. Working closely with the forensic community, Verogen places exceptional value on flexible, scalable solutions that deliver reliable results. To learn more, visit www.verogen.com
About QIAGEN
QIAGEN N.V., a Netherlands-based holding company, is the leading global provider of Sample to Insight solutions that enable customers to gain valuable molecular insights from samples containing the building blocks of life. QIAGEN provides solutions to more than 500,000 customers around the world in Molecular Diagnostics (human healthcare) and Life Sciences (academia, pharma R&D and industrial applications, primarily forensics). Further information can be found at www.qiagen.com
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QIAGEN
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FAQs about the Verogen – QIAGEN partnership
Has Verogen been acquired by QIAGEN?
No. This is a collaborative partnership to expand the availability of Verogen products to human identification and forensic laboratories and to integrate streamlined next-generation sequencing (NGS) workflows into routine operations. Verogen and QIAGEN continue their activities as independent companies but with a joint vision and effort to empower our customers to better serve those who rely on human identity testing for answers.
I am currently a Verogen customer. Does this announcement change how I purchase Verogen products?
No. If you currently order products directly from Verogen then you can continue to do so. The agreement between Verogen and QIAGEN means that QIAGEN can sell all Verogen products to their existing or new customers. If you are also a QIAGEN customer and would like to discuss purchasing all your QIAGEN and Verogen products through a single supplier then please contact your local Verogen representative. If you are in a region where Verogen currently sells through a channel partner, please contact us for more information.
Can I purchase QIAGEN products from Verogen?
No. The agreement between Verogen and QIAGEN allows QIAGEN to sell Verogen products, but Verogen will not be selling QIAGEN products.
I want to use QIAGEN products on the MiSeq FGx® Sequencing System. Who do I contact to discuss?
If you are already a customer of both Verogen and QIAGEN, you can approach either organization for assistance. If you are a customer of either Verogen or QIAGEN, contact your usual representative who will provide guidance and coordinate joint conversations with specialists from both organizations where necessary.
Will any Verogen products be discontinued as a result of the announcement?
No. We will continue to manufacture and support all our existing workflows.
Will Verogen continue to develop NGS-based human identification products?
Yes. Verogen will continue to develop additional innovative tools for operational use. Laboratories will also be able to access a range of custom and research tools from QIAGEN for use on Verogen platforms to provide capabilities that complement Verogen’s optimized and validated workflows.
Can Verogen library prep kits be automated on QIAGEN platforms?
Understanding how QIAGEN liquid handling systems can support Verogen ForenSeq library prep workflows is one of the first priorities of the collaboration. We are currently evaluating short and mid-term options for automation and will provide more details soon. Please reach out to your local Verogen or QIAGEN representative for more information.
How will the partnership between Verogen and QIAGEN impact service and support for the MiSeq FGx System and ForenSeq products?
In countries where Verogen sells directly, nothing will change. Regardless of which company the products have been purchased from, Verogen will continue to be responsible for service and support of all users of Verogen products, including installations, maintenance, repairs, training, and applications support. If you purchase Verogen products from QIAGEN, you may contact either Verogen or QIAGEN for technical support of Verogen products. For the most efficient response times, contact techsupport@verogen.com.
In countries where Verogen sells through a channel partner, the channel partner will be responsible for all instrument installations, maintenance, repairs, training, and application support for the MiSeq FGx System and ForenSeq products. Verogen may be contacted directly at techsupport@verogen.com if advanced support is required.
If I purchase my MiSeq FGx System and ForenSeq Universal Analysis Software & Server from QIAGEN, who will be responsible for service and support during the manufacturer’s warranty period?
In countries where Verogen sells directly, Verogen is responsible for service and support of all Verogen manufacturer’s warranties, including those on MiSeq FGx instruments or ForenSeq Universal Analysis Server and Software sold by QIAGEN. In countries where Verogen sells through a channel partner, the channel partner is responsible for service and support during the warranty period.
Can I purchase support plans to cover a MiSeq FGx System and ForenSeq Universal Analysis Software & Server from QIAGEN?
In countries where Verogen sells directly, QIAGEN is authorized to sell the Verogen MiSeq FGx Extended Support Plan and MiSeq FGx Extended Support Plan PLUS for the MiSeq FGx System, and the Data Analysis Server Support Plan for the ForenSeq Universal Analysis Software & Server.
In countries where Verogen sells through a channel partner, Verogen support plans are not available. You may be able to purchase non-Verogen support plans from the channel partner. Support plan offerings may vary by country. Please contact your local channel partner for more information.
If I purchase a Verogen support plan from QIAGEN, who will be responsible for service and support?
Verogen is responsible for service and support of all Verogen support plans, including those sold by QIAGEN.
I still have questions. Who can I contact?
Please reach out to info@verogen.com with any additional questions.