Agilent Technologies Introduces Mass Spectrometry Software That Enables Biomarker Discovery

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) today introduced a powerful informatics software solution that enables the rapid discovery of protein and metabolite biomarkers through the analysis of mass spectrometry (MS) data. Agilent GeneSpring MS completes a diverse, highly integrated set of MS-based solutions designed to advance proteomics, metabolomics and biomarker research.

Biomarker research involves the identification and characterization of molecules that can potentially serve as markers of disease or drug toxicity. It is an important focus of life science research and drug discovery and development.

“GeneSpring MS accelerates biomarker discovery by allowing researchers to profile proteins or small molecules associated with changes in cellular function,” said Francois Mandeville, manager of informatics solutions at Agilent. “As part of the broader Agilent GeneSpring Analysis platform, GeneSpring MS also supports an integrated approach to disease research and drug discovery and development, where findings from one discipline can easily be correlated with insights from other disciplines.”

Agilent GeneSpring MS allows researchers to easily import, store and visualize gas-chromatography/MS and liquid-chromatography/MS data from large sample sets and from complex experimental designs. Using a comprehensive selection of powerful statistical analyses, GeneSpring MS can detect changes in the profile of proteins, peptides and metabolites across many samples, thereby facilitating the identification of potential markers of disease or drug toxicity. GeneSpring MS also enables researchers to identify biological pathways to which potential biomarkers belong and infer specific molecular interactions relevant to the discovery process — a unique capability.

GeneSpring MS supports a workflow that includes a variety of different software platforms and experimental approaches. Molecular profiles gathered from GeneSpring MS can be used for further MS/MS-based analysis, such as protein and metabolite identification, peptide/protein confirmation, and structural characterization, by using software such as the Agilent Spectrum Mill for MassHunter Workstation. In combination with these complementary technologies, Agilent GeneSpring MS supports an end-to-end proteomics and metabolomics research solution.

Data from GeneSpring MS are easily interchanged and correlated with data from other products in the Agilent GeneSpring Analysis platform, which include GeneSpring GX (gene expression) and GeneSpring GT (genotyping). This supports systems biology, allowing users to answer questions at the intersection of proteomics, metabolomics, genomics and biomarker research. With the same interface and a similar workflow as other GeneSpring products, GeneSpring MS provides researchers with a consistent experience, regardless of what type of data they are analyzing.

Availability

Agilent GeneSpring MS will be available for order in the third quarter of 2006. For more information, visit www.genespring.com .

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) is the world’s premier measurement company and a technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company’s 20,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $5.1 billion in fiscal 2005. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com .