Applied Biosystems/MDS SCIEX and Biocrates Announce Metabolomics Collaboration
Applied Biosystems (NYSE:ABI), an Applera Corporation, together with its partner MDS Sciex, a division of MDS Inc. (NYSE:MDZ, TSX:MDS), and BIOCRATES life sciences GmbH, a bio-knowledge provider and developer of application systems and consumables for life sciences applications, today announced a new collaborative agreement whereby the companies plan to develop metabolomics methods, instruments, and applications. Applied Biosystems is hosting a press conference today at 10:00 a.m. ET to discuss the collaboration at the Pittsburgh Conference (PITTCON) in banquet room N220G at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, U.S.A.
Under the agreement, Applied Biosystems/MDS SCIEX will provide BIOCRATES life sciences with its industry-leading QSTAR® LC/MS/MS System and API 4000™ Q LC/MS/MS system mass spectrometers to develop both consumables and methods for sample preparation and metabolomics analysis. Applied Biosystems will distribute any products developed from the collaboration.
“Procedures in clinical research chemistry and immunology currently provide researchers with limited biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment decisions. Mass spectrometric assays should soon be able to detect and quantitate several hundred, and eventually thousands of metabolites from the intermediary metabolism, representing a biochemical fingerprint of the human organism, and reflecting not only genetic pre-disposition, but also environmental influences, such as nutrition or medication,” said Dr. Klaus Weinberger, Chief Scientific Officer of BIOCRATES life sciences.
“This collaboration will provide Applied Biosystems/MDS SCIEX with a unique insight into the needs of the growing metabolomics market and fits well with Applied Biosystems overall metabolomics strategy to provide complete solutions to our customers through external collaboration or internal development projects,” said Laura Lauman, Division President of Proteomics and Small Molecule Business for Applied Biosystems.
“BIOCRATES life sciences is at the forefront of innovation in metabolomics technology, and we anticipate this being a very productive collaboration for markets that we both serve,” said Andy Boorn, President of MDS Sciex.
“Our goal is to deliver, to every scientist, a high-content screening technology platform for the standardized and systematic quantitative targeted analysis and direct interpretation of hundreds of annotated metabolites, simultaneously, from microliter quantities of biological material,” said Dr. Armin Graber, Chief Executive Officer of BIOCRATES life sciences. “We are pleased to join forces with the Applied Biosystems/MDS Sciex joint venture, the market leader in life sciences and mass spectrometry. We believe this collaboration will support widespread utilization and commercialization of metabolome information, thus advancing both clinical diagnostics and the pharmaceutical research and development process.”
About Applera Corporation and Applied Biosystems
Applera Corporation consists of two operating groups. The Applied Biosystems Group serves the life science industry and research community by developing and marketing instrument-based systems, consumables, software, and services. Customers use these tools to analyze nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), small molecules, and proteins to make scientific discoveries, develop new pharmaceuticals, and conduct standardized testing. Applied Biosystems is headquartered in Foster City, CA, and reported sales of $1.7 billion during fiscal 2004. The Celera Genomics Group (NYSE:CRA) is engaged principally in the discovery and development of targeted therapeutics for cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Celera Genomics is leveraging its proteomic, bioinformatic, and genomic capabilities to identify and validate drug targets, and to discover and develop small molecule therapeutics. It is also seeking to advance therapeutic antibody and selected small molecule drug programs in collaboration with global technology and market leaders. Celera Diagnostics, a 50/50 joint venture between Applied Biosystems and Celera Genomics, is focused on discovery, development, and commercialization of diagnostic products. Information about Applera Corporation, including reports and other information filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is available at http://www.applera.com, or by telephoning 800.762.6923. Information about Applied Biosystems is available at http://www.appliedbiosystems.com/.
About MDS Sciex and MDS Inc.
MDS Sciex is the analytical instrumentation and technology solutions division of MDS Inc. At MDS Inc., our 9,000 highly skilled people provide services and products, which enable health sciences organizations to enhance the well being of people around the world. We focus on helping discover and test new drugs, assisting doctors to diagnose and treat patients and preventing the spread of disease. Find out more about MDS Inc. (TSX: MDS; NYSE: MDZ), at www.mdsintl.com <http://mdsintl.com> or by calling 1-888-MDS-7222, 24 hours a day.
About BIOCRATES life sciences
BIOCRATES life sciences, a provider of high content metabolome information and technology, develops application systems and consumable-based products for diagnostics and pharmaceutical research and development. The targeted metabolomics analysis platform comprises fully automated sample preparation procedures and software linked to mass spectrometry-based analytics. The quantitative metabolite profiling approach enables routine high-content screening and standardized wide-spread use of metabolomics technology. Relative quantification is achieved by reference to a wide range of appropriate internal standards. Analytes and corresponding metabolites are annotated so as to allow fast and direct biochemical and biological interpretation. In partnership with pharmaceutical, biotechnology and nutrition companies, BIOCRATES life sciences uses its technology to speed drug discovery processes, reduce late-stage drug attrition due to adverse side effects, discover new biomarkers and develop early tests for monitoring drug response. BIOCRATES life sciences’ technology is also applied to validate and prioritize drug targets, identify novel applications for existing drugs and improve drug safety by analyzing the pharmacological and toxicological effects of a substance with unprecedented resolution and sensitivity. Information about BIOCRATES life sciences is available at http://www.biocrates.at/ .
