QIAGEN wins contract with Singapore Ministry of Health

QIAGEN has been awarded an exclusive contract by the Singapore Ministry of Health to supply sample preparation solutions and molecular tests for the specific detection of avian flu.

The company will provide fully automated and manual sample preparation technologies for the extraction of viral nucleic acids for the nation’s Avian Influenza Preparedness Program.

The three-year contract will also see QIAGEN providing test kits for specific and sensitive detection of the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza strain.

Peer Schatz, chief executive officer of QIAGEN, said: "We support the global community in its efforts to expand its early warning systems that can monitor changes in viral infection which could lead to a pandemic.

"QIAGEN is proud to expand this effort by making its products available also to the Singapore Ministry of Health’s surveillance program."

The leading provider of innovative sample and assay technologies and products currently provides more than 80 institutions with the procedures and reagents involved in the surveillance of avian flu.