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Biotech / Medical : IGEN International -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: James Perry who wrote (444)	9/21/1998 10:08:00 AM
From: Invest2Ride	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1025

OK, as a molecular biologist, I will try to clarify some of the questions about what Igen's assays can do. Basically, they have a very flexible assay for detecting when cells react to extracellular stimuli in a defined way. For example, when a cell receives a signal from a ruptured platelet -- it responds by making copies of certain genes, from which the cell will then synthesize proteins. Proteins are the main workhorses of the cell. Alternatively, a cell will respond by removing or attaching certain molecules to existing proteins. These modification either activate or suppress certain functions of the target protein. Igen's technology has the ability to detect these events with high sensitivity. So, you can place very few cells into plates that have a large number of wells arranged in an array. Their machine detects a signal and identifies from which well it originated. That is, automation of what once was a labor-intensive, somewhat subjective art form. The key is to develop the input system for detection. This is what Igen in moving into with the E. coli test, etc. Pharmaceutical companies want the MACHINE because they already have assays in place for which they want to increase output. Point of care machines will only be useful when the ASSAYS become characterized and standardized. The money-making potential for Igen is developing new ASSAYS with which it can sell its point of care devices.