Good News for Luminex MAGPIX - Analyst Blog

Luminex Corporation (LMNX), a developer of biological testing technologies, has reported encouraging results for its new MAGPIX analytical instrument (launched in July 2010). Results from a comparative study conducted at the Natural and Medical Science Institute (NMI) of the University of Tubingen in Germany showed that MAGPIX is more efficient and cost-effective than the legacy Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) test method.

 

ELISA is a biochemical technique used for the detection and analysis of proteins released from cells. As evident from the study, the MAGPIX system offers accurate test results at a cost which is about half of the traditional ELISA method. Moreover, it was also observed that MAGPIX has been able to execute up to 50 tests in the same amount of time as one ELISA sample.

 

The MAGPIX system leverages Luminex's proprietary open-architecture xMAP technology and is capable of producing up to 50 tests on a single sample. The versatile system can be used to test both nucleic acids and proteins. MAGPIX has been designed to offer fast, accurate and easily reproducible test results while enabling laboratories to save time and cost. The comparative test results will boost the adoption of the novel instrument by research laboratories.

 

Texas-based Luminex develops, manufactures and markets proprietary biological testing technologies, which have applications across the life sciences industry. Its xMAP technology enables fast, cost-effective and accurate conduct and analysis of biological tests (bioassays). The xMAP technology is sold worldwide and is used by leading research laboratories as well as major pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotechnology companies.

 

Luminex has an extensive product portfolio and a healthy pipeline which are expected to support growth moving forward. The company continues to expand its xMAP technology-based installed instrument base.

 

Besides the MAGPIX system, Luminex also launched the qBead gene expression assay in May 2010. Moreover, the company recently launched a new cystic fibrosis (a genetic disorder) diagnostic test dubbed xTAG Cystic Fibrosis 60 Kit v2. We believe that Luminex's vast product range will drive growth in the upcoming quarters. We are currently Neutral on the stock.