Bruker Daltonics Announces Autoflex II MALDI-TOF and TOF/TOF Systems for High-Success Expression Proteomics and Clinical Proteomics
BILLERICA, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Feb. 18, 2004– Bruker Daltonics Inc., an operating company of Bruker BioSciences Corporation (NASDAQ: BRKR), today announces the autoflex(TM) II series of MALDI-TOF and novel high-performance MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometers. These systems are now available in our applications laboratories and biomarker discovery centers, and will be exhibited in March at the 2004 Pittcon in Chicago.
The autoflex II TOF/TOF is the first vertical TOF/TOF system, and offers almost all of the high-performance MS/MS characteristics of larger TOF/TOF systems, yet requires much less lab space, and is priced competitively. The autoflex II MALDI-TOF is the successor of the well-established autoflex system launched in 2000, the first industrial high-throughput MALDI-TOF MS system. The autoflex II incorporates various performance, electronics and software enhancements, and can be optionally upgraded on-site to full TOF/TOF capabilities.
The autoflex II now operates under our integrated Compass(TM) software environment for easy operation in multi-instrument laboratories, and with the most comprehensive proteomics analysis software suite in the industry. For pharmaceutical customers, the autoflex II system offers software to support customers in achieving 21 CFR Part 11 compliance. Bruker Daltonics also offers IQ, OQ and PV support for FDA-regulated customers.
The autoflex II series benefits from our unique AnchorChip(TM) MALDI sample targets which use the industry-standard microtitre plate (MTP) format, and are thus easily compatible with most common microbiology or clinical diagnostics sample preparation robots. An optional robotic arm is available for unattended 24/7 operation. Bruker Daltonics’ patented AnchorChip technology provides exactly-positioned samples on the MALDI-target for robust and fast automation, as well as a sensitivity boost by up to two orders of magnitude.
Applications to Expression Proteomics and Advanced Clinical Proteomics
Since the introduction of Bruker Daltonics’ ultraflex(TM) TOF/TOF system in 2001, MALDI-TOF/TOF technology has been adopted rapidly by the expression proteomics community. Key advantages of MALDI-TOF/TOF technology include superb MS/MS sensitivity, sequence coverage and information content due to the inherent high-efficiency MS/MS fragment generation. TOF/TOF tandem mass spectra can be acquired with unprecedented throughput and ease of use, and the MS/MS results from ultraflex and autoflex TOF/TOF systems are straight-forward to interpret automatically.
The autoflex II TOF/TOF provides the power of MALDI-TOF/TOF in a compact and affordable research system for proteomics applications. The system enables fast, automated protein identification by MALDI-TOF peptide mass fingerprinting, immediately followed by more detailed TOF/TOF protein structural characterization. The autoflex II system can be an integral module of either our Proteineer(TM) solution for high-success expression proteomics, or our ClinProt solution for advanced biomarker discovery and robust clinical proteomics.
ClinProt is an integrated set of tools for peptide and protein biomarker discovery and clinical proteomics research, including automated magnetic bead based sample preparation methods, and ClinProTools(TM) comprehensive analysis, visualization and statistical model building software tools. In an advanced biomarker discovery workflow, after magnetic bead sample preparation, profile spectra are acquired in either linear or in high-resolution reflector mode, which can differentiate potentially overlapping peaks. The superior sensitivity and excellent resolution of the autoflex II generate mass spectral profiles of potential biomarkers with high information content in a robust and reproducible manner. Moreover, putative biomarkers can often be identified immediately by a subsequent TOF/TOF measurement on the same sample using the autoflex II TOF/TOF.
Frank H. Laukien, Ph.D., President and CEO of Bruker Daltonics, commented: “Mass spectrometry is rapidly growing in importance in clinical and diagnostics research. However, the biomarker discovery community, as well as the FDA, have recently become concerned about the robustness and reproducibility of earlier mass spectrometry technologies in clinical proteomics publications. There is now a clear trend away from developing potential diagnostic assays just based on MS patterns or “barcodes”, and towards a clear scientific understanding of the biomarkers. We believe in particular that biomarker identification is indispensable to query the scientific literature in order to assess the potential biological and medical relevance of putative biomarkers. The new autoflex II TOF/TOF, which allows for seamless MALDI-TOF profile acquisition and subsequent biomarker identification by TOF/TOF, appears to be ideal for today’s much more demanding biomarker discovery environment.”
ABOUT BRUKER BIOSCIENCES
Bruker BioSciences, headquartered in Billerica, Massachusetts, is the publicly traded parent company of Bruker Daltonics Inc. and Bruker AXS Inc. Bruker Daltonics is a leading developer and provider of innovative life science tools based on mass spectrometry. Bruker AXS is a leading developer and provider of life science and advanced materials research tools based on X-ray technology. For more information about Bruker BioSciences Corporation, please visit <a target='_blank' href='http://www.bruker-biosciences.com
‘>www.bruker-biosciences.com
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations, but are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. The factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to the companies’ reorganization strategies, integration risks, failure of conditions, technological approaches, product development, market acceptance, cost and pricing of the companies’ products, changes in governmental regulations, capital spending and government funding policies, FDA and other regulatory approvals to the extent applicable, competition, the intellectual property of others, patent protection and litigation. These and other factors are identified and described in more detail in our filings with the SEC, including, without limitation, our respective annual reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, our most recent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, our current reports on Form 8-K and the joint proxy statement/prospectus filed in connection with the merger. We disclaim any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
CONTACT: Bruker BioSciences
Michael Willett, 978-663-3660 Ext. 1411
Michael.Willett@bruker.com
SOURCE: Bruker BioSciences
