Invitrogen and Signalomics Collaborate to Develop Nanotechnology-Based Approaches to Cancer Diagnostics
Tuesday April 11, 8:00 am ET
CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 11, 2006--Invitrogen Corporation (Nasdaq:IVGN - News), a provider of essential life science technologies for disease research and drug discovery, today announced a collaborative agreement with Signalomics (Steinfurt, Germany) to develop nanocrystal reagents with the ability to enhance the identification of tumors in in vivo patient tissue by detecting the presence of a single cancerous cell -- improving the ability to excise the tumor more rapidly and completely. The initial goal of the collaboration is to develop an imaging agent that can be used to identify colon carcinomas requiring surgical intervention.
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"Our technology allows us to label the signal molecules of a cell and then visualize cells with faulty signaling, such as cancer cells. This approach allows physicians and scientists to diagnose diseased tissue as well as design therapeutics targeted to the faulty signal transduction," explained Dr. Christoph Block, CEO of Signalomics GmbH. "Cooperating with a strong partner like Invitrogen will accelerate our development, allowing this important technology to reach patients faster."
Signalomics is developing a nanobiotechnology-based in vivo diagnostics platform by coupling designer proteins with fluorescent semiconductor crystals. These nanocrystal-protein conjugates, which are only a few millionths of a millimeter in size and are extremely photostable, can be targeted to faulty signaling proteins that are expressed in tumor tissue. Once introduced into a cell, they can be visualized by applying a laser light of a specific wavelength, which makes the nanocrystal-protein conjugates emit light in different colors. The colors of the light help to identify cells with faulty signal molecules and allow detection of single tumor cell in vivo.
"Invitrogen, with tools and products like Dynal magnetic beads, Caltag antibodies and Molecular Probes labeling technologies, has long been a leading enabler of the development of diagnostic products," said John "Kip" Miller, Invitrogen's Senior Vice President, Enabling Technologies. "We are always eager to participate in R&D programs that will push the envelope as far as molecular diagnostics are concerned, and this collaboration allows us to leverage the unique capabilities of our Quantum Dot nanocrystals in the pursuit of earlier cancer diagnosis.
Through this agreement, Signalomics is continuing the joint development and identification of novel nanobiotech diagnostic products that it began in 2004 in cooperation with the BioPixels business unit of BioCrystal Ltd. Invitrogen Corporation announced the acquisition of both the BioPixels business and Quantum Dot Corporation on October 6, 2005.
About Invitrogen
Invitrogen Corporation (Nasdaq:IVGN - News) provides products and services that support academic and government research institutions and pharmaceutical and biotech companies worldwide in their efforts to improve the human condition. The company provides essential life science technologies for disease research, drug discovery, and commercial bioproduction. Invitrogen's own research and development efforts are focused on breakthrough innovation in all major areas of biological discovery including functional genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics and cell biology -- placing Invitrogen's products in nearly every major laboratory in the world. Founded in 1987, Invitrogen is headquartered in Carlsbad, Calif., and conducts business in more than 70 countries around the world. The company globally employs approximately 4,800 professionals and had revenues of more than $1.2 billion in 2005. For more information, visit www.invitrogen.com.
About Signalomics
The goal of Signalomics GmbH is to develop custom-designed therapeutics and theranostics for illnesses that result from errors in cellular signal transduction. This includes in particular the development of highly specific molecular imaging agents and medications for cancer indications. Signalomics provides innovative products and solutions for the pharmaceutical industry, biotech companies and academic institutions. Signalomics GmbH was established in 2003 as a Spin-Off of the University of Applied Sciences Munster, Germany. For more information, visit www.signalomics.com. |
