Agilent Technologies' Venture unit invests in Aria Biosystems's fiber optic sensors

Fiber Optics Weekly Update, June 18, 2004

Agilent Technologies Inc. announced that Agilent Ventures has participated in the Series A Preferred Stock funding round for Aria Biosystems Corp. of Menlo Park, California, which is a privately held company that develops simple and affordable label-free assays for the detection of biological molecules (such as DNA, protein, and enzymes) and their interactions.

Agilent Ventures' investment is part of the Series A round, led by Alloy Ventures and Latterell Venture Partners, which raised $5.5 million in equity. Also participating in the round is Versant Ventures. Aria offers an innovative, direct-sensing optical technology that can measure molecular-binding events such as protein-protein interactions. The technology provides real-time data on molecular kinetics, affinity, specification, and concentration.

The core of the Aria technology is a disposable fiber optic sensor adapted from the telecommunications industry and used in combination with various bioassay technologies. The use of fiber optics enables Aria's sensors to be small and readily configured to meet the bioanalytical needs of its customers.

For further information, visit www.agilentventures.com