Nonlinear Dynamics Plans to Enter Biomarker Discovery Market with New Software Analysis Solution
Nonlinear Dynamics Ltd, a leading provider of bioinformatics solutions, today announced it has undertaken a large scale development program to evolve a new biomarker discovery product range.
The new development program will see the launch of multiple biomarker products to form a robust and scalable solution for the analysis of mass spectrometry and capillary electrophoresis trace data. This will incorporate a range of new powerful analytical tools for biomarker discovery, predictive modelling and data processing.
John Spreadbury, Group Sales and Marketing Director of Nonlinear Dynamics, and CEO of Nonlinear USA Inc, commented: “The fields of drug discovery, biomedical research and pharmacogenomics are developing around the use of biomarkers in accordance with new FDA guidelines. The result is that many pharma and biotech companies have reconfigured their research models to incorporate biomarker functionality. However at present, widespread implementation of this technique is hampered by the lack of accurate, hardware independent software commercially available to researchers.
“In developing a new biomarker range, Nonlinear is applying its considerable experience and expertise in mining and analysing data from multiple applications. Our outstanding technical portfolio underlines the adaptability of our development processes to construct an innovative and targeted research platform specifically aimed at biomarker discovery.”
The first release from this development program will be a medium throughput analysis tool aimed at the academic market. Set for launch in Q3 2005, Phoretix Biomarker represents a highly usable and flexible software solution for entry level trace data analysis and visualisation. This will incorporate a range of adaptable analysis features to import, analyse and identify individual and multiple markers from trace samples. This is achieved through an automated m/z picking algorithm to distinguish particular peaks of interest, while eliminating sample ‘noise’. Spectra can be visualised using a variety of different graphical formats, including stacking and spectral overlay, as well as simulated gel maps. Comparative visual analysis across multiple samples enables rapid discovery of disparate features for later identification. Phoretix Biomarker further extends these capabilities with powerful neighbour joining and UPGMA hierarchical clustering algorithms.
Philippe Bogard, Strategic Marketing Manager of Nonlinear Dynamics, added: “Single protein biomarkers with clinically relevant predictive power are very rare and often lack the sensitivity and specificity required for effective research. By applying multiple data-handling and visualisation options, users can identify and review data from multiple markers with increased confidence. Marker data can then be queried, validated and classified via a range of database options. This represents a considerable improvement over single marker statistics, and a breakthrough for any lab conducting biomarker discovery.”
About Nonlinear Dynamics Ltd
Established in 1989, Nonlinear Dynamics is a leading worldwide provider of bioinformatics solutions to the life science industry. The Company’s innovative product portfolio comprises high-quality analysis and data mining tools for 1D and 2D electrophoresis gels and microarrays, the core technologies of genomics and proteomics. Nonlinear sells and supports its products through its UK headquarters, its USA office, and its global network of partners and OEM resellers. www.nonlinear.com
