V1 et al:
Monday January 12, 6:04 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Molecular Dynamics and Amersham Pharmacia Biotech Announce DNA Microarray Technology Access Agreement With PHASE-1
PHASE-1 Will Use the Technology to Co-Develop ToxArray(TM) Pre-Arrayed cDNA Slides for Toxicology Testing
SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Jan. 12, 1998-- Molecular Dynamics, Inc. (NASDAQ:MDYN - news) and Amersham Pharmacia Biotech today announced that PHASE-1 Molecular Technology, Inc. will collaborate with the two firms for continued development of new microarray technologies. Under the agreement, PHASE-1 will provide funding and technical expertise while gaining early access to integrated microarray systems jointly developed by Molecular Dynamics and Amersham Pharmacia Biotech.
PHASE-1 will enter the Microarray Technology Access Program as a strategic collaborator of Molecular Dynamics and Amersham Pharmacia Biotech. Strategic collaborators are invited to join the program based on their ability to provide unique expertise and data of high value to existing program participants.
Researchers at PHASE-1 will receive microarray fabrication, hybridization, and optical scanning instrumentation and software from Molecular Dynamics along with matched reagents and consumables from Amersham Pharmacia Biotech. PHASE-1 will contribute biological materials, and intends to design and co-develop with Molecular Dynamics a range of cDNA-spotted microarray slides. These slides are designed to help pharmaceutical firms streamline new drug development by efficiently measuring differences in gene expression upon exposure to different drug formulations. Changes in gene expression can be correlated with toxicity, providing an efficient method of ranking early-stage compounds and a better understanding of the mechanisms of toxicity. Tradenamed ToxArray(TM), a Molecular Dynamics' mark, these pre-arrayed slides will be manufactured by Molecular Dynamics and offered on a preferential basis to other participants in the Microarray Technology Access Program.
Commenting on the agreement, PHASE-1 Chairman & CEO Spencer Farr, PhD., stated that ''The microarray technology available through this program will enable us to leverage our expertise in molecular and high-throughout toxicology to quickly deliver important downstream benefits to our pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers involved in the development of new drugs and diagnostic systems.''
In entering the agreement, PHASE-1 joins a growing number of commercial firms and research institutions working with Molecular Dynamics and Amersham Pharmacia Biotech under the Microarray Technology Access Program. Jay Flatley, President and CEO of Molecular Dynamics, and Mike Evans, Vice President of Molecular Biology and Sequencing at Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, welcomed PHASE-1 to the program and expressed confidence in the value that the newest participant would bring to other program members.
Microarray Technologies: New Tools for the Genomics Revolution
A microarray consists of thousands of DNA samples deposited in small spots on the surface of a slide or other substrate. Molecular Dynamics and Amersham Pharmacia Biotech have developed a microarray system that permits researchers to make and analyze high-density microarrays with speed, efficiency, and sensitivity. Data from a single microarray experiment provides researchers with the ability to accurately measure gene expression levels in thousands of samples.
Microarray Technology Access Program
In 1996, Molecular Dynamics and Amersham Pharmacia Biotech created the Microarray Technology Access Program to give selected companies and institutions preferential access to their pre-commercial technology. Since then, the companies have signed microarray agreements with the following organizations: SmithKline Beecham, Zeneca Limited, Sequana Therapeutics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Genos Biosciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, The Institute for Genomic Research, Chiron Corporation [Nasdaq:CHIR - news], DuPont Agricultural Products, Pioner Hi-Bred, Incyte Pharmaceuticals, the University of Washington, and PHASE-1.
About the Collaborators
Molecular Dynamics, a public corporation with headquarters in Sunnyvale, CA, is a leading developer, manufacturer and international marketer of systems that accelerate genetic discovery and analysis. The company's products dramatically increase scientists' ability to visualize, quantify and analyze genetic information. Molecular Dynamics is a founding member of the Genetic Analysis Technology Consortium (GATC(TM)), formed to develop and publish global standards and to provide a unified technology platform to design, process, read and analyze DNA arrays.
Amersham Pharmacia Biotech is the world's largest research-based biotechnology supplier, providing a wide range of reagents, systems and services focused on genomics research and pharmaceutical development. Headquartered in Uppsala, Sweden, the company has combined annual sales of approximately $700 million and employs approximately 3,600 employees worldwide.
PHASE-1 Molecular Toxicology is a leader in toxicology, testing and bioinformatics, specializing in advanced assays and testing as well as the development of software for use in toxicological analysis. The company has developed Rosetta Stone(TM), the only interactive database of molecular technology, which allows users to easily obtain bibliographic references and research findings related to molecular toxicology, and Genie(TM), a software program designed specifically to aid in the interpretation of gene expression patterns related to toxic responses.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including the timely shipment of new products, the effect of competitive pressures and other risks detailed from time to time in Molecular Dynamics' SEC reports, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1997.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact:
Molecular Dynamics
Jay Flatley, 408/737-3000 (President & CEO)
Lynne Wagoner, 408/737-3002 (Director of Finance)
info@mdyn.com
mdyn.com
or
Amersham Pharmacia Biotech
Mike Evans, 44-1-494-542937 (Vice President)
Nicola Smith, 44-1-494-542925
(Director of Corporate Affairs)
or
PHASE-1, Inc.
Spencer Farr, 505/471-8438 (Chairman & CEO)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright c 1998 Business Wire. All rights reserved.
And also:
Monday January 12, 6:05 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Molecular Dynamics and Amersham Pharmacia Biotech Announce DNA Microarray Technology Access Agreement With the University of Washington
University to Use Microarray Technology to Explore New Frontiers in Genomic Science
SUNNYVALE, Calif--(BW HealthWire)--Jan. 12, 1998-- Molecular Dynamics, Inc. (NASDAQ:MDYN - news) and Amersham Pharmacia Biotech today announced that the University of Washington will collaborate with the two firms for continued development of new microarray technologies.
Under the agreement, the University of Washington will provide technical expertise while gaining early access to integrated microarray systems jointly developed by Molecular Dynamics and Amersham Pharmacia Biotech.
The University of Washington enters the Microarray Technology Access Program as a strategic collaborator of Molecular Dynamics and Amersham Pharmacia Biotech. Strategic collaborators are invited to join the program based on their ability to provide unique expertise and data of high value to existing program participants.
Researchers at the University of Washington will receive microarray fabrication, hybridization, and optical scanning instrumentation and software from Molecular Dynamics along with matched reagents and consumables from Amersham Pharmacia Biotech that will enable them to measure the expression levels of many genes in a single experiment. By comparing differences in expression levels in normal and diseased cells, scientists can better understand the complex roles played by specific genes and in turn, more quickly identify targets for the development of new therapeutic and diagnostic products.
In entering the agreement, the University of Washington joins a growing number of pharmaceutical, biotechnology and research institutions working with Molecular Dynamics and Amersham Pharmacia Biotech within the Microarray Technology Access Program.
''Microarray technology currently offers the highest productivity of all gene expression tools and as such, will play a critical role in the accelerating pace and expanding importance of genomic science,'' asserted Dr. Leroy Hood, William Gates III Professor of Biomedical Sciences and Chair of the Department of Molecular Biotechnology at the University of Washington's School of Medicine. ''The integrated microarray systems being developed by Molecular Dynamics and Amersham Pharmacia will help the University of Washington continue to pioneer advances in the fields of cancer research, bioinformatics and biomedical science.''
Jay Flatley, president and CEO of Molecular Dynamics, and Mike Evans, vice president of molecular biology and sequencing of Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, welcomed the University of Washington's entry into the Microarray Technology Access Program. ''The University of Washington has the expertise needed to refine and push the applications of our technology, which will ultimately benefit our other program partners as well as future system users,'' said Flatley.
Microarray Technologies: New Tools for the Genomics Revolution
A microarray consists of thousands of DNA samples deposited in small spots on the surface of a slide or other substrate. Molecular Dynamics and Amersham Pharmacia Biotech have developed a microarray system that permits researchers to make and analyze high-density microarrays with increased speed, efficiency and sensitivity. Data from a single microarray experiment provides researchers with the ability to accurately measure gene expression levels in thousands of samples.
Microarray Technology Access Program
In 1996, Molecular Dynamics and Amersham Pharmacia Biotech created the Microarray Technology Access Program to give selected collaborators preferential access to their pre-commercial technology. Since then, the companies have signed collaboration agreements with the following partners: SmithKline Beecham, Zeneca Limited, Sequana Therapeutics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Genos Biosciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, The Institute for Genomic Research, Chiron Corporation [Nasdaq:CHIR - news], DuPont Agricultural Products, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Incyte Pharmaceuticals Inc, PHASE-1 Molecular Toxicology Inc., and the University of Washington.
About the Collaborators
Molecular Dynamics, a public corporation with headquarters in Sunnyvale, Calif., is a leading developer, manufacturer and international marketer of systems that accelerate genetic discovery and analysis. The company's products dramatically increase scientists' ability to visualize, quantify and analyze genetic information. Molecular Dynamics is a founding member of the Genetic Analysis Technology Consortium (GATC)(TM), formed to develop and publish global standards and to provide a unified technology platform to design, process, read and analyze DNA arrays.
Amersham Pharmacia Biotech is the world's largest research-based biotechnology supplier, providing a wide range of reagents, systems and services focused on genomics research and pharmaceutical development. Headquartered in Uppsala, Sweden, the company has combined annual sales of approximately $700 million and employs approximately 3,600 employees worldwide.
Dr. Hood's laboratory at the University of Washington has played a major role in developing automated microchemical instrumentation for the sequence analysis of proteins and DNA. He has applied his laboratory's expertise in large-scale DNA mapping and sequencing to the analysis of the human and mouse T-cell receptor loci -- an important effort of the Human Genome Project. His laboratory is also interested in the study of autoimmune diseases and new approaches to cancer biology.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including the timely shipment of new products, the effect of competitive pressures and other risks detailed from time to time in Molecular Dynamics' SEC reports, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1997.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact:
Molecular Dynamics
Jay Flatley, 408/737-3000
or
Lynne Wagoner, 408/737-3002
info@mdyn.com
mdyn.com
or
Amersham Pharmacia Biotech
Mike Evans, 44-1-494-542937
or
Nicola Smith, 44-1-494-542925
Copyright c 1998 Business Wire. All rights reserved |
