|
PE BIOSYSTEMS AND OXFORD GLYCOSCIENCES ANNOUNCE
PROTEOMICS AGREEMENT
OGS to receive early access to new protein research system
Foster City, CA and Oxford, UK - September 18, 2000
- PE Biosystems Group (NYSE:PEB), a PE Corporation business now conducting
business under the Applied Biosystems name, and Oxford GlycoSciences Plc
(LSE: OGS) today announced they have signed an agreement for OGS to become
an early access customer for Applied Biosystems' next-generation MALDI
TOF/TOF mass spectrometer. This system is intended to enable higher throughput
with enhanced informational content for researchers pursuing a better
understanding of proteins and their role in the onset and treatment of
disease.
The agreement provides that OGS should purchase MALDI TOF/TOF
mass spectrometers, with the initial delivery of early access versions
of the system beginning in the first half of calendar year 2001. In addition,
Applied Biosystems would be able to incorporate any feedback on the system's
performance into refinements of the system prior to commercial launch
later in 2001. Additional terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
"This new generation of technology from Applied Biosystems
could revolutionize peptide sequencing and, coupled with OGS's own advanced
next generation bioinformatics software, could lead to significant new
information on proteins' role in biological functions," said Professor
Reid Townsend, Director of Proteomic Research at OGS. "This new information
would be of particular value in the pursuit of new pharmaceuticals and
diagnostics."
The MALDI TOF/TOF would offer researchers the potential
to reach new levels of throughput as they conduct protein research (proteomics)
on a larger scale. Enabling high-throughput analysis is critical for proteomics
researchers due to the magnitude and complexity of proteins and their
expression and interaction in living organisms.
"Our relationship with OGS and the new technology from our
Framingham (MA) facility are both exciting developments in the evolution
of protein research," said Michael W. Hunkapiller, Ph. D., president of
Applied Biosystems. "OGS will be able to work with this system at an early
date which should support them in advancing their 'industrial scale' proteomics
capabilities."
Applied Biosystems is developing new tools to modernize
proteomics much like new technology in the late '90s enhanced genomics.
The group's Proteomics Research Center is leveraging Applied Biosystems'
existing proteomics expertise and internal research capabilities while
facilitating collaboration with complementary research and technology
partners. The goal is to supply complete systems that decrease manual
handling and increase the ability to obtain useful information.
The MALDI TOF/TOF utilizes Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption
Ionization (MALDI) to make proteins into charged ions and Time of Flight/Time
of Flight (TOF/TOF) analyzers to identify, sequence and characterize the
ions. This system leverages Applied Biosystems' strength in MALDI-TOF
mass spectrometry with the intention of increasing throughput and adding
an integral second analyzer to provide additional sequence and characterization
determination capability.
PE Corporation comprises two operating groups. The PE Biosystems
Group, now conducting business under the Applied Biosystems name, develops
and markets instrument-based systems, reagents, software and contract
services to the life science industry and research community. Applied
Biosystems is headquartered in Foster City, CA and reported sales of $1.4
billion during fiscal 2000. The Celera Genomics Group (NYSE: CRA), headquartered
in Rockville, Md., intends to become the definitive source of genomic
and related medical information. Information about the Company, including
reports and other information filed by the Company with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, is available on the worldwide web at www.pecorporation.com
or by phoning 800.762.6923.
OGS, is the world's leading proteomics company headquartered
in Oxfordshire, UK, applying its proteomics technology in pharmaceutical
research and development. OGS has proteomics collaborations with a number
of major pharmaceutical companies, including programmes with Pfizer in
Alzheimer's disease and atherosclerosis, with Merck in diabetes, and in
respiratory disease with Bayer. OGS also has a proteomics programme with
Pioneer Hi-Bred/DuPont. Furthermore, in a joint venture with the genomics
company, Incyte Genomics Inc., OGS is building expression databases for
licence to pharmaceutical companies, to which Astra Zeneca became the
first subscriber in 1999.
OGS is also developing a therapeutic product, OGT 918, which
is in late stage clinical trials for the treatment of glycolipid storage
disease. In addition, the Company has drug discovery programmes in oncology,
inflammation, and infectious disease.
For PE Biosystems: Certain statements in this press release
are forward-looking. These may be identified by the use of forward-looking
words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate,"
"should," "planned," "estimated," and "potential," among others. These
forward-looking statements are based on PE Corporation's current expectations.
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe
harbor" for such forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the
terms of the safe harbor, PE Corporation notes that a variety of factors
could cause actual results and experience to differ materially from the
anticipated results or other expectations expressed in such forward-looking
statements. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations,
performance, development, and results of PE Biosystems businesses include
but are not limited to (1) rapidly changing technology and dependence
on new products; (2) sales dependent on customers' capital spending policies
and government-sponsored research; (3) claims for patent infringement;
(4) significant overseas operations; (5) future growth strategy; (6) earthquakes;
and (7) other factors that might be described from time to time in PE
Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
For OGS: Some important facts that could cause actual results
to vary significantly from management's expectations noted in these forward
looking statements include government approvals, intellectual property
positions and costs. OGT 918 is an investigational drug and has not received
approval for marketing in any country.
Copyright
© 2000. PE Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Celera, Celera Genomics, PE Biosystems and Applied Biosystems are trademarks
of PE Corporation.
|