BERLIN and BERGISCH GLADBACH, Germany, June 16, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Miltenyi Biotec today announces the worldwide release of the Viscover(TM) product line, offering researchers an unrivaled range of preclinical contrast agents for small animal in vivo imaging.

Viscover marks the result of a fruitful collaboration between Miltenyi Biotec GmbH and nanoPET Pharma GmbH. Within this strategic alliance, Miltenyi Biotec is responsible for the distribution of Viscover products developed and manufactured by nanoPET Pharma. The current Viscover portfolio comprises twenty-one contrast agents for the preclinical imaging modalities MRI, CT, Optical Imaging, Ultrasound and SPECT/PET, and this number is set to increase soon.

This partnership offers researchers a unique and powerful portfolio of small animal in vivo imaging agents, explains Stefan Miltenyi, CEO of Miltenyi Biotec. Both nanoPET Pharma and Miltenyi Biotec are committed to serving the biomedical research community with innovative high-quality imaging products throughout the world.

Commenting on the collaboration, Andreas Briel, CEO of nanoPET Pharma GmbH, said: This landmark partnership brings together Miltenyi Biotec's excellence in worldwide customer support with nanoPET's exclusive range of contrast agents. Our scientists have years of experience in biomedical imaging, gained through strong affiliations with commercial and academic bodies.

About Miltenyi Biotec

Miltenyi Biotec's company mission is to improve scientific understanding and medical progress by providing products and services for cellular therapies. With approx. 1100 employees in 18 countries, Miltenyi Biotec develops, manufactures, and commercializes innovations for both research and clinical applications. The portfolio provides integrated solutions for all areas covering sample preparation, cell separation, cell culture, flow cytometry, and molecular analysis.

Visit http://www.miltenyibiotec.com to learn more.

About nanoPET Pharma

Based in Berlin, nanoPET Pharma GmbH discovers and develops innovative pharmaceutical contrast agents for use with the complete range of preclinical imaging modalities. The comprehensive Viscover portfolio currently provides contrast agents for the MRI, CT, Ultrasound, Optical Imaging, SPECT and PET modalities.

Visit http://www.viscover.com to discover more.

Contact: Miltenyi Biotec Prof. Dr. Uwe Heinlein, Corporate Communications, Miltenyi Biotec GmbH, +49-2204-8306-6590, uweh@miltenyibiotec.de nanoPET Pharma Carolin Schlueter, Corporate Communications, nanoPET Pharma GmbH, +49-30-890-49-740, Carolin.Schlueter@nanopet.de

SOURCE: Miltenyi Biotec GmbH

CONTACT: Contact: Miltenyi Biotec: Prof. Dr. Uwe Heinlein, CorporateCommunications, Miltenyi Biotec GmbH, +49-2204-8306-6590,uweh@miltenyibiotec.de; nanoPET Pharma: Carolin Schlueter, CorporateCommunications, nanoPET Pharma GmbH, +49-30-890-49-740,Carolin.Schlueter@nanopet.de