VWR International, IBM, and VizX Labs team up in novel life science offering World’s largest distributor of life science supplies chooses GeneSifter™ for pioneering program with IT giant
“Our objective is to create a unique, valuable offering for life scientists,” said Edward Sapp, VWR Director of Life Sciences. “By bundling IBM computers and select software offerings such as VizX Labs’ GeneSifter, we provide superior value for our customers. For example, it can be difficult enough for scientists to gather good data from microarrays, let alone evaluate analysis software. Our technical staff concluded that GeneSifter’s intuitive, accessible system solves problems researchers encounter applying this new technology, as it helps them understand the biology behind their results. That’s the purpose of this offering – to leverage our expertise to help our customers stay focused on their science, not software acquisition and integration.”
IBM Healthcare and Life Sciences Channel Sales Leader Mike McGuire noted, “We are pleased to be able to work with VWR and VizX Labs on this offering for life scientists. It’s a great example of how our On Demand Business solutions accelerate the discovery process.”
Under the program, VWR International will offer VizX Labs’ microarray data analysis system and other products with exclusive pricing and other benefits. “We know that when scientists try our system with their own data, they love it, they buy it, and they continue to use it,” says VizX Labs CEO Tom Ranken. “We are delighted to see IBM and VWR customers benefit from the leadership these two companies have shown in launching this cutting-edge program.”
About GeneSifter
GeneSifter is the accessible, Web-based microarray data analysis system that helps researchers understand the biology underlying gene expression patterns as it helps them determine their data’s statistical and biological significance. It features over 30 types of validated analysis techniques including clustering, pathways analysis and Gene Ontology operations, MIAME-compliant protocols and “R” platform biostatistics. GeneSifter’s clean, logical Web-style interface instantly makes sense to scientists and speeds discovery. As described by University of Washington’s Gary Vanasse, M.D., “Using GeneSifter, what would have taken weeks was accomplished in days.” Additional customer comments are available online at www.genesifter.net/product-info_testimonials.php . Downloadable graphics, including screenshots of GeneSifter, may be viewed online at www.vizxlabs.com/downloadable_images.html .
About VWR International
VWR International is a global leader in the distribution of scientific supplies, with worldwide sales of more than $2.8 billion. VWR’s business is highly diversified across a spectrum of products and services, customer groups and geography. The company offers more than 750,000 products, from more than 5,000 manufacturers, to over 250,000 customers throughout North America and Europe. VWR’s primary customers work in the pharmaceutical, life science, chemical, technology, food processing and consumer product industries. Other important customers include universities and research institutes; governmental agencies; environmental testing organizations; and primary and secondary schools. VWR International affiliates operate in 18 countries and employ almost 6,000 people. The company’s mission is to deliver excellence in the distribution of scientific supplies. The VWR International Group is headquartered in West Chester, Pennsylvania. For more information on VWR International, phone 1-800-932-5000 or write, VWR International, Inc., 1310 Goshen Parkway, P.O. Box 2656, West Chester, PA 19380-0906.
About IBM Healthcare and Life Sciences
The goal of IBM Healthcare and Life Sciences is to rapidly bring IT technology to customers and IBM Business Partners in the fields of pharmaceutical research, biotechnology, genomics, health and other life science industries. IBM is a proven leader in data integration, supercomputing, high performance storage, e-business and information technology services. Long-term projects at IBM Research Centers and the IBM Deep Computing Institute foster collaboration with life science companies—bringing domain expertise and innovative technologies to the development of life science solutions. To learn more about IBM Healthcare and Life Sciences, visit ibm.com/industries/lifesciences or contact an IBM Healthcare and Life Sciences specialist at LS@us.ibm.com .
About VizX Labs
VizX Labs’ products enable scientists to incorporate sophisticated data management and computer analysis into gene research for improved quality and productivity. Selected as a Northwest Venture All-Star company and named by Bio-IT World as one of six “bioinformatics youngbloods” remaking that field, VizX was most recently listed by Washington CEO as one of the state’s top 25 biotechnology and biomedical companies. To view the VizX Labs newsroom, please visit www.vizxlabs.com/newsroom.html .
| VWR International, Inc. Edward Sapp Director of Life Sciences 610.429.5525 ed_sapp@vwr.com IBM Healthcare and Life Sciences |
VizX Labs, LLC Tom Ranken Chief Executive Officer 206.283.4363 ext. 106 jtr@vizxlabs.com VizX Labs, LLC |
VWR International and design are trademarks of VWR International, Inc. GeneSifter is a trademark of VizX Labs, LLC. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both.
