Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- MDS Proteomics, a leader in functional proteomics for drug discovery in the post-genomic era, today announced at a major proteomics conference meeting that it is currently concluding the acquisition of Protana, innovator of premier mass spectrometry capabilities for identifying and analyzing proteins. Less than 100 days after the sequencing of the human genome was announced, the combined company is already systematically identifying -- in days or merely hours -- the biological function of hundreds of proteins and elucidating their biological pathways, thereby enabling drug design that addresses the true mechanism of disease. This proteomics ``superhighway'' capability is fully operational at the world's first two industrial scale proteomics facilities located at MDS Proteomics' sites in Toronto, Canada and Odense, Denmark.
``Functional proteomics will become the key driver for discovering new drugs and MDS Proteomics has brought together the most comprehensive approach for industrializing protein identification, protein-protein interactions and biological pathway analyses,'' said Frank Gleeson, President and Chief Executive Officer of MDS Proteomics and Chair of Global Business Research's Proteomics conference in San Francisco. ``We have the cell pathway expertise of Dr. Anthony Pawson, the financial resources and clinical capabilities of MDS Inc., and early access to the most advanced mass spectrometry instruments through our relationship with MDS Sciex. We are clearly positioned at the forefront of pharmaceutical discovery.''
Dr. Matthias Mann, scientific founder of Protana, and an acknowledged pioneer in the mass spectrometry field said, ``MDS Proteomics unites our mass spectrometry applications with extensive biology and bioinformatics capabilities, allowing us to harness the true value of protein information. This integrated approach is critical to developing a new generation of drugs to treat disease.'' Dr. Mann is co-chairing MDS Proteomics' Scientific Advisory Board with Dr. Pawson.
``The acquisition of Protana is another milestone on the road to the planned initial public offering (IPO) and beyond,'' added Gary Goertz, Executive Vice President Finance and CFO MDS Inc. and Chairman, MDS Proteomics.
Protana, the world's leading proteomics company, was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Odense, Denmark. The company currently develops and applies the revolutionary tools of biological mass spectrometry to pharmaceutical and biotechnological research.
MDS Proteomics has developed the world-leading, proprietary functional proteomics technology platform that leverages advanced knowledge of protein function and protein pathways. In combination with biological expertise and precise understanding of the cellular context of disease, the Company will usher in a new era of therapeutic discovery. By industrializing proteomics, MDS Proteomics will become the partner of choice to the life sciences industry in the post-genome era. MDS Proteomics, a North American/European company, has facilities in Toronto, Canada, and Odense, Denmark.
MDS Proteomics is 88% owned by MDS Inc. MDS Inc. (Toronto: MDS - news; NYSE: MDZ - news) is an international health and life sciences company-that is focused on fighting disease in numerous ways. Its products and services include: laboratory testing, imaging agents for nuclear medicine testing, sterilization systems for medical and consumer products, research and clinical development services to speed discovery and development of new drugs, therapy systems for planning and delivery of cancer treatment, analytical instruments to assist in the development of new drugs, and medical / surgical supplies. MDS employs more than 11,000 highly skilled people at its global operations on four continents. Detailed information about the company is available at the MDS Web site at www.mdsintl.com or by calling 1-888-MDS-7222, 24 hours a day.... |
