CombiMatrix Announces Sale of DNA Micorarray Synthesizer to Keio University
Tuesday April 15, 9:03 am ET
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 15, 2003--Acacia Research Corporation (Nasdaq:ACTG - News; Nasdaq:CBMX - News) announced today that CombiMatrix's Japanese subsidiary has sold a DNA Microarray Synthesizer to the laboratory of Dr. Nobuyoshi Shimizu, Professor and Department Head of the Department of Molecular Biology at the Keio University School of Medicine in Tokyo, Japan. Under the terms of the agreement, Keio University has purchased a CombiMatrix custom slide chip synthesizer and entered into an agreement to purchase microarrays that will be used for genomic research.
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Keio University plans to use CombiMatrix' integrated platform to perform genetic studies as well as develop unique applications with value to medical diagnostics research and the study of the genomes of a variety of commercially important organisms. The agreement includes a commitment that upon the discovery or development of novel and valuable content, candidates or products, the parties will jointly benefit on future commercialization of such discoveries.
Dr. Nobuyoshi Shimizu said, "We are excited to work with CombiMatrix's integrated platform for synthesis of custom DNA microarrays. The capabilities of the CombiMatrix system combined with our high-fidelity digital hybridization screening techniques will allow for truly high throughput screening of clones for sequence tag sites in human chromosomes and in the genomes of a variety of organisms. In addition, the ability to customize a microarray for any organism is unique to this system."
"Professor Shimizu is internationally recognized for his contributions to the sequencing of the human genome. We are honored that he has chosen to purchase our equipment and work with our team," said Michael Chansler, Director of International Business Development at CombiMatrix.
"We are encouraged by our continued success in the Asian marketplace," stated Dr. Amit Kumar, President and CEO of CombiMatrix Corporation. "Our activities underscore the market opportunity to provide our customers with capability to synthesize custom DNA microarrays. We are also encouraged by our ability to establish agreements like these which enable us to not only sell our microarray system, but also to participate in the downstream commercialization of any new discoveries."
The CombiMatrix Custom Microarray Synthesizer allows pharmaceutical and life science researchers to specify gene targets, design and synthesize custom semiconductor based microarrays. All equipment, software and database technologies can be installed behind the firewall of the customer for privacy of data and speed of experimental design reiteration.
About Keio Univ. School of Medicine Department of Molecular Biology
The laboratories at the Keio University School of Medicine Department of Molecular Biology has provided key basic research for the sequencing of the human genome and continues to define excellence in genomic research. Prof. Nobuyoshi Shimizu who is credited with over 450 technical publications in genomic, molecular biology, and aquaculture research leads the Department of Molecular Biology. |
