Bio-Techne and NanoString Partner to Co-Develop Integrated Workflow for RNA Spatial Profiling

Friday, March 29, 2019

Bio-Techne, a global life sciences company providing innovative tools and bioactive reagents for the research and clinical diagnostic communities, and NanoString Technologies, Inc., a provider of life science tools for translational research and molecular diagnostic products, are partnering to accelerate the development of new tools for spatial genomics. The combined workflow that unites the RNAscope® reagent portfolio from Bio-Techne with NanoString's GeoMx™ RNA Assays enables researchers to molecularly guide their high-plex spatial analyses with single cell resolution. The combination will be the basis of an ongoing partnership which is aimed at further integration of these platforms into one concise workflow. These technologies are showcased in a white paper available at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) conference being held March 29th - April 3rd, 2019, in Atlanta, GA.

The combination of Bio-Techne's RNA imaging and NanoString's RNA spatial profiling technology creates compelling value for spatial genomics applications.  The synergies in the chemistry and workflow create two key advantages. First, unlike antibodies, RNAscope reagents are universal and can image any known transcript. This enables nearly endless combinations of key transcripts that can be imaged to select regions of interest for spatial genomics profiling using GeoMx DSP. Second, GeoMx DSP offers the only high-plex RNA spatial profiling chemistry that is compatible with FFPE. By combining with Bio-Techne's high sensitivity FFPE compatible RNAscope reagents, spatial genomics applications can be extended from basic research to translational and clinical applications.

The new partnership leverages the power of RNAscope reagents for visualizing molecular RNA targets, and GeoMx DSP data for high-plex profiling and quantification of RNA.  Under the terms of the agreement, NanoString and Bio-Techne will develop, validate, and co-market protocols that combine RNAscope reagents and GeoMx assays.  In addition, NanoString will provide RNAscope research services through its GeoMx DSP Technology Access Program (TAP). Customers will be able to select from a menu of RNAscope reagents to be combined with the GeoMx high-plex RNA spatial profiling assay.

"Understanding the tissue microenvironment at the cellular and system level enables researchers to gain insights into tissue function and mechanisms as related to normal development as well as mechanism of disease. Bio-Techne, through its RNAscope portfolio, provides tools to advance this understanding. By partnering with NanoString, we believe we can create extremely powerful workflows to accelerate our customers' research," said Kim Kelderman, president, Diagnostics and Genomics Segment for Bio-Techne.

"This partnership brings together two best-in-class assays that enable imaging and profiling in difficult sample types like FFPE.  It provides researchers with the most complete and integrated solution available for RNA biomarkers," said Brad Gray, president and CEO of NanoString. "We are excited to work with the Bio-Techne team, who brings a wealth of experience in developing high resolution, high sensitivity assays for visualizing RNA."