HTS Biosystems Announces Release of FLEX CHIP System — The First Instrument to Provide Efficient High-Throughput Binding Kinetics

Business Wire, Dec 20, 2001

Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers

BIOWIRE2K

12th Annual IBC Antibody Engineering Conference

HOPKINTON, Mass.--(BW HealthWire)--Dec. 20, 2001

HTS Biosystems announced today it is releasing the Beta 2 version of its FLEX CHIP(TM) Kinetic Analysis System in early January in response to unmet needs in the proteomics market.

The FLEX CHIP(TM) System, a highly flexible, label-free detection platform for parallel kinetic analysis of binding events, is expected to be the first instrument on the market to provide high-throughput binding kinetics.

"This new system is expected to revolutionize the way the proteomics industry characterizes molecular interactions," said Gregory G. Freitag, chief executive officer and co-founder of HTS Biosystems. "Understanding these interactions -- currently a significant bottleneck -- is key to better diagnostics and the rapidly expanding therapeutics market."

The FLEX CHIP(TM) System recently was recognized at two key industry conferences, further confirming the market need and anticipation for this new proteomics technology. At a special awards ceremony at the 12th Annual IBC Antibody Engineering Conference in December, HTS Biosystems was chosen to deliver a featured presentation on the FLEX CHIP(TM) System. The presentation included data on array-based kinetic measurements of Fabs, Mabs, and aptamers. In addition, HTS Biosystems was recognized for its FLEX CHIP(TM) System at the first IBC Protein Microarray Technology conference in March 2001.

"It is gratifying to see the scientific community confirm the need for a practical approach to screening libraries of affinity molecules," said Enrico G. Picozza, HTS Biosystems' chief operating officer and co-founder. "It validates the need for our technology in the market."

Release of the Beta 2 system is an important milestone because it is a prelude to the commercial launch of the FLEX CHIP(TM) System scheduled for the first half of 2002. Like the earlier Beta 1 version, it will be the only instrument on the market to provide the features required in the market. Based on Grated-Coupled Surface Plasmon Resonance, the FLEX CHIP(TM) System is capable of high-throughput, label-free detection and characterization of biomolecular interactions. The initial application of this proprietary technology enables truly high-throughput kinetic measurements with the capability to analyze hundreds to thousands of molecules in a single run. The system employs a cost-effective, plastic, disposable biosensor chip with application-specific surface chemistries. The FLEX CHIP(TM) System also offers other key applications for the proteomics and drug discovery markets.

"Demand in the industry has pushed us to speed up the availability of the commercial system," said Freitag. "We already have a waiting list for future instruments, which is direct confirmation that our system is well positioned to meet the needs of the proteomics market."

HTS Biosystems, Inc. is a biotechnology company specializing in high-throughput bioanalytical systems for the rapidly growing field of proteomics. Collaborations with key industry partners, such as Applied Biosystems (NYSE:ABI), Dyax Corporation, and Molsoft, LLC, in combination with HTS Biosystems' proprietary technologies, have driven the development of the company's Proteomatrix(TM) Solution and its related systems. The Proteomatrix(TM) Solution is a unique portfolio of innovative technologies that support all phases of proteomics, from discovery to development of therapeutic and diagnostic products. The FLEX CHIP(TM) Kinetic Analysis System is the first platform available from the Proteomatrix(TM) Solution platform. HTS Biosystems' operations are located in Hopkinton, Mass. For more information, visit www.htsbiosystems.com.