EMD Launches First Bead-Based Multiplex Assays Using EpiTag(TM) Technology from Epitome Biosystems, Inc.
EMD Chemicals, Inc. (EMD), a subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt,
Germany, and Epitome Biosystems, Inc, announced today that EMD has
launched WideScreen(TM) EpiTag(TM) ERK Pathway Assays, the first wave
of bead-based, multiplex assays using EpiTag(TM) Technology licensed
from Epitome Biosystems. The new line of assays will enable
researchers to make quantitative, highly multiplexed measurements of
important cell targets, greatly facilitating drug discovery efforts.
EMD´s Novagen WideScreen Group and Epitome Biosystems collaborated
to develop immunoassay panels using a novel, powerful technology
platform for the multiplex quantitation of phosphorylated proteins.
WideScreen EpiTag(TM) Assays, performed on the xMAP(R) Technology
based line of instrument platforms from Luminex Corporation (Nasdaq:
LMNX), utilize EpiTag(TM) Technology, a highly targeted measurement
platform for multiplex protein assays. The first in a series of
validated assay panels is available globally through the international
sales and distribution network of the EMD/Merck group.
"WideScreen(TM) EpiTag(TM) Assays detect key signaling events in
the ERK pathway from both human and mouse samples," said Lisa Johnson,
Novagen and Calbiochem Business Unit Manager with EMD. "These products
demonstrate the power of EpiTag Technology and we look forward to
developing more EpiTag Assays with Epitome Biosystems."
ERK pathway protein levels and phosphorylation are deregulated in
many types of cancer and are considered strong candidates for the
development of therapeutic compounds. These assays will enable
researchers to determine the effect of candidate compounds on multiple
analytes, to allow a better understanding of on- and off-target
effects.
"Working with EMD to commercialize these EpiTag-based assays is an
important step in building a comprehensive set of products to provide
researchers with powerful approaches for making reliable cell- and
tissue-based multiplex measurements," said Neal Gordon, Ph.D.,
President, Epitome Biosystems. "These products address the market´s
expressed need to obtain absolute, quantitative measures of protein
phosphorylation in a highly targeted manner."
EMD and Epitome Biosystems have ongoing collaborations to develop
EpiTag Assays for additional targets in the ERK pathway and for
membrane proteins, which traditionally have been very difficult to
measure.
About EMD Chemicals Inc.
EMD Chemicals represents the North American chemical sector of
Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. Along with its sister company, EMD
Crop BioScience, it is an international organization with 1,110
employees and revenues of more than $US 360 million, providing
specialty chemicals for pharmaceutical, biotech, cosmetic, automotive,
plastics, electronics, agricultural and other industrial applications
and is also engaged in the development, manufacture and distribution
of a broad array of research reagents used for life science research.
EMD Chemicals is known in the market by its product brands including
Iriodin(R), Xirallic(R), Rona(R), Calbiochem(R), Novabiochem(R), and
Novagen(R), among others.
About Merck KGaA
Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company with sales
of EUR 6.3 billion in 2006, a history that began in 1668, and a future
shaped by 30,962 employees in 61 countries. In 1917 the U.S.
subsidiary Merck & Co. was expropriated and has been an independent
company ever since.
About Epitome Biosystems, Inc.
Epitome Biosystems is applying its protein measurement platforms
to increase the productivity of drug discovery and development and
improve understanding of drug responses and disease. The Company´s
Q-SONAR(TM) mass spectrometry-based biomarker discovery platform
generates highly relevant information that facilitates decision making
by elucidating the biological mechanisms governing health and disease.
EpiTag(TM) technology delivers specific, quantitative, multiplexed
cell assays for the routine measurement of proteins and protein
modifications in a user-friendly format. Epitome´s technology is
validated, scaleable and can be applied broadly across the drug
discovery and development continuum and translated to clinical
biomarker applications. For more information, visit
www.epitomebiosystems.com.