>>ANN ARBOR, Mich., Oct. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Genomic Solutions Inc. (Nasdaq: GNSL - news), announced today that the US Patent and Trademark Office has awarded the company a significant patent. The US Patent 6,302,159, entitled ``Apparatus and method of carrying out flow through chemistry of multiple mixtures,'' describes a device and techniques to facilitate processing of solid-liquid mixtures in high throughput proteomic research.
Pharmaceutical and biomedical researchers continually seek new methods for rapidly identifying therapeutically important proteins. The company's Investigator(TM) ProPREP(TM) and Investigator ProGEST(TM) instruments employ this newly patented, novel approach to accelerate and automate protein digestion in preparation for mass spectrometry analysis.
``This breakthrough design lies at the heart of the new Investigator ProPREP, enabling the instrument to complete protein digestion with no aspiration steps, thus eliminating cross contamination concerns. This novel technology enables proteomic life science researchers to gain greater automation capabilities, improved sensitivity and contamination free processing,'' notes David Miller, Proteomic Global Product Manager. ``We are pleased to add this patent to our expanding portfolio of intellectual property,'' Mr. Miller continued.
``The company is dedicated to developing next generation proteomic research systems. The implementation of this unique approach affirms our dedication of the company's research and development resources to proteomics. We have been quite pleased with the feedback received from our initial Investigator ProPREP product users, who represent several thought leaders in proteomic research,'' notes Jeffrey S. Williams, President and CEO.<<
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Now, if they can just sell a few. It'll be interesting to see if the PKI/PBSC products obviate GNSL's as you suggested. I'll be checking the next CC for tidbits on the PKI relationship. Perhaps GNSL could fish for another partner, such as ABI? Speculating, if GNSL were to announce that it was terminating the PKI agreement, I would buy the sell-off: I don't think they'd do that unless they had another partner in the wings.
Edit: Might as well archive the "proteomics center" divestiture PR. Does the apparent lack of success of these ventures mean this is being done in-house by most pharmas & biotechs? Comments from BDAL, WAT, and others about their steady sales would imply this is this case, at least for the next several months. Given the puny revenues generated by the unit, this seems a wise move by GNSL . . .
>>ANN ARBOR, Mich., Oct 3, 2001 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Genomic Solutions Inc. (Nasdaq: GNSL chart, msgs) today announced divestiture of its proteomic contract services unit to a group of former Genomic Solutions senior scientific staff members. The new venture, Proteomic Research Services, Inc. (PRS) and Genomic Solutions will maintain a strong working relationship. Genomic Solutions will continue its focused efforts on developing new generation proteomic systems with its dedicated, in-house research and development (R&D) scientific staff.
With the sale of the contract proteomic services business, Genomic Solutions will increase its strategic focus on systems and dedication of resources to proteomic product development. "This action will significantly reduce our cost structure with minimal lost revenue impact," said Jeffrey S. Williams, President and CEO. "Our 2000 revenue associated with proteomic contract services was less than 5% of sales." He noted that Genomic Solutions' partnership with PRS and minority interest in the company will ensure continued access to quality proteomic services, including mass spectrometry expertise, as needed.
Genomic Solutions sold certain assets to PRS and entered into an ancillary service agreement with the new company. "While we have sold the assets of our contract proteomic contract services unit to Proteomic Research Services, Inc., we will continue to maintain our sophisticated proteomic R&D group and their dedicated focus on developing next generation instrumentation, consumables and software. In addition, PRS will continue to provide product development, product testing and support services to Genomic Solutions as required," notes Shannon Richey, Executive Vice President for Marketing.
Richey also noted that the company remains totally committed to its genomic contract services business. "While we have sold our proteomic contract services unit, we have retained our state-of-the art genomic contract research labs which provide production, hybrization, imaging and analysis for DNA microarrays," Richey adds. "The demand for these research services remains strong and we have the facilities and personnel to meet the outsource research needs for a wide range of clients."<<
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Cheers, Tuck |
