Time for Caliper to start looking over their shoulder ?
Fluidigm Announces Supply Agreement With GlaxoSmithKline
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Feb. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Fluidigm Corporation announced today that the Company has entered into a supply agreement to provide GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK - news) access to Fluidigm microfluidic platform technology. Fluidigm will provide GSK with novel microfluidic tools and design software, as well as customized prototype microfluidic chips during the course of the agreement. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
GSK will be using novel Fluidigm multi-layer soft lithography (MSL(TM)) technology to explore microfluidic applications within the pharmaceutical development process. Fluidigm's development-stage microfluidic platform, including microfluidic chip control devices and design software, will enable GSK scientists to iterate from one chip design to another in a matter of weeks -- not months as is common with other existing microfluidic platforms.
Scientists in GSK's Technology Development Department are developing novel biomedical instruments for pharmaceutical applications. Some of the main components of these instruments will be microfluidic devices that enable reduced sample volumes, novel detection systems, and high levels of process automation to accelerate drug discovery.
``We are pleased that GSK, a pharmaceutical industry leader, shares our vision for the potential offered by the proprietary Fluidigm MSL platform,'' said Gajus Worthington, President and CEO of Fluidigm. ``Fluidigm MSL technology represents a breakthrough for the drug discovery process.'' Fluidigm intends to provide early access to a limited number of other companies, which, like GSK, have dedicated significant resources to the exploration of microfluidics in the life sciences.
About Fluidigm
Microfluidics is one of the fastest growing sectors of the life science research market. An innovator in the microfluidic market, Fluidigm is dedicated to the commercialization of its proprietary MSL technology through early supply agreements and application-based analysis systems. Currently, Fluidigm offers a complete suite of products and services including design software, rapid prototyping, and plug-and-play chip control devices. Fluidigm's initial customer base is in the drug discovery and life sciences arena; additional applications are envisioned for the drug delivery, diagnostics, chemical and power markets. Based in South San Francisco, California, Fluidigm is privately held and backed by premier investors including Euclid SR Partners, Lehman Brothers, and Versant Ventures.
CONTACT: Leah Fine, Product Manager of Fluidigm Corporation, +1-650-266-6029, leah.fine@fluidigm.com; or Hala Bashir, Media, +1-212-696-4455, ext. 356, or Matthew Orsagh, Investors, +1-212-696-4455, ext. 357, both of Noonan-Russo Communications, Inc., for Fluidigm Corporation
SOURCE: Fluidigm Corporation... |
