TORONTO--(BW HealthWire)--March 12, 2001--
Integrative Proteomics, using leading structural proteomics technologies, plans to build the world's first integrated, industrial platform for high-throughput pharmaceutical target function/structure
interrogation based on Bruker life-science X-ray, NMR and mass
spectrometry technologies. Bruker AXS, Bruker BioSpin and Bruker
Daltonics (NASDAQ: BDAL - news) also each plan to make a strategic equity
investment in Integrative Proteomics.
Integrative Proteomics, Inc. (``IPI''), Bruker AXS Inc., Bruker Daltonics Inc. and Bruker Instruments, Inc., a member of the global Bruker BioSpin group (``Bruker Biospin''), announced today that they have entered into several strategic alliance and technology development collaboration agreements for multidisciplinary proteomics technologies based on protein X-ray crystallography, biological NMR and mass spectrometry. Under the agreements, IPI plans to procure X-ray systems, high-field NMR and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry systems as well as support from Bruker AXS, Bruker BioSpin and Bruker Daltonics, respectively. In addition, the Bruker companies each will make a strategic equity investment in Integrative Proteomics.
Integrative Proteomics plans to expand its integrated, multidisciplinary Pharmaceutical Proteomics(TM) Platform by establishing the world's first high-throughput pharmaceutical target function/structure interrogation operation in Toronto, Canada. Under the terms of the alliance announced today, Integrative Proteomics will procure from the Bruker companies x-ray crystallography and high-field NMR systems for protein structure determination, as well as MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry systems for protein-protein interaction determination.
``Integrative Proteomics impressed us with their vision and leadership in the era of drug discovery based on the structure and function of pharmaceutical targets. Their unique structural proteomics paradigm creates new synergy opportunities between the core technologies of the Bruker companies - X-ray crystallography, NMR and mass spectrometry. We are gratified that this visionary company has decided to advance their business with innovative systems from three different Bruker Companies as the technologies of choice for cutting-edge structural proteomics,'' said Frank H. Laukien, Ph.D., President and CEO of Bruker Daltonics, and Chairman of Bruker AXS. ``We will also make a strategic equity investment because we believe that IPI will capture significant value from the vast commercial potential of structural genomics for drug discovery.''
John D. Mendlein, Ph.D., Integrative Proteomics CEO, stated: ``The unsurpassed ability of the three Bruker companies to strategically advance our Pharmaceutical Proteomics(TM) Platform, creates incredible momentum for us in this rapidly emerging sector. The motivating force behind this alliance is the integration of three normally distinct technologies, X-ray crystallography, NMR and mass spectrometry. The Bruker companies are unique in their synergistic capabilities to deliver that powerful combination of technologies for industrial-scale proteomics applications. We also welcome Dr. Laukien's vision and the Bruker companies' investment in Integrative Proteomics. We look forward to complete the first phase of our Pharmaceutical Proteomics(TM) Platform, and to establish IPI as the world leader in the generation of new medicines based on the industrial interrogation of target function and structure.''
As part of their alliance, the parties will also collaborate scientifically and technically on research and development in new X-ray, NMR and mass spectrometry technologies, particularly in the area of software, automation and detectors for high-throughput structural proteomics. The companies plan to share certain proteomics intellectual property and technology in their respective fields.
IPI accelerates the discovery of new medicines using its Pharmaceutical Proteomics(TM) Platform. Its ProteoWorks(TM) Platform for rapid, parallel production of recombinant proteins uses proprietary protein expression and purification processes based upon the Company's unique integration of molecular biology and mass spectroscopy. The ProteoWorks(TM) Platform has eliminated many of the bottlenecks associated with conventional protein production. IPI's ProteoActive(TM) Platform discovers protein-protein interactions using a proprietary system based on mass spectroscopy. The resulting information about protein function and therapeutic relevance is compiled in a proprietary database that is used to prioritize targets for drug discovery. The Company's ProteoVision(TM) Platform uses proprietary NMR and X-ray crystallography systems to accelerate the determination of protein structure to guide small molecule design and library selection, hit selection and lead optimization. IPI has 45 employees, 70 percent of whom hold advanced degrees. The Company is located in Toronto, Canada and plans to open a U.S. site in the first half of 2001. Investors include the Canadian based venture firm of CC Capital Partners, Eastern Technology Seed Investment Fund and Lombard Odier of Switzerland.
Bruker AXS is a leading developer and provider of life science and advanced materials research tools based on X-ray technology. The company develops, manufactures and markets worldwide advanced X-ray solutions for the three-dimensional structure determination of biological and chemical compounds, as well as for advanced materials research and analysis. Its diverse customer base includes pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, advanced materials, semiconductor, synthetic polymer, and basic materials companies, as well as university and government research customers. Applications include x-ray crystallography for structural proteomics, and automated systems for combinatorial materials sciences. Bruker AXS has the most diverse set of x-ray technology platforms for molecular and materials analysis.
Bruker Instruments, Inc. of Billerica, Massachusetts, is a member of the global Bruker BioSpin group of companies. The global Bruker BioSpin group designs, manufactures and distributes enabling life science tools based on magnetic resonance core technology. Bruker BioSpin technology platforms include NMR, EPR, MRI, benchtop process analysis NMR and EPR, as well as superconducting magnets. Its Bruker NMR division is the worldwide market and innovation leader in NMR spectroscopy, with design, manufacturing and applications centers in Europe, North America and Japan, as well as applications and customer support facilities in most industrialized and developing countries.
Bruker Daltonics is a leading developer and provider of innovative life science tools based on mass spectrometry. Its substantial investment in research and development allows it to design, manufacture and market a broad array of products intended to meet the rapidly growing needs of a diverse customer base, including pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, agricultural biotechnology companies, molecular diagnostics companies, academic institutions and government agencies. Bruker Daltonics has diverse technology platforms that integrate automated sample preparation and clean-up, advanced front-end AnchorChips MALDI targets and API source technology with cutting-edge proprietary MALDI-TOF, ESI-TOF, ion trap and FTMS mass analyzers, as well as analysis and bioinformatics software. Bruker Daltonics is also a worldwide leader in supplying mass spectrometry-based systems for substance detection and pathogen identification in security and defense applications. ... |
