Agilent Technologies' Venture Unit Invests in Aria Biosystems Corp.'s Series A Round of Funding.Business Editors/High-Tech Writers PALO ALTO Palo Alto, city, California Palo Alto (păl`ō ăl`tō), city (1990 pop. 55,900), Santa Clara co., W Calif.; inc. 1894. Although primarily residential, Palo Alto has aerospace, electronics, and advanced research industries. , Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 15, 2004 Molecular Interaction Detection Technology Holds Promise for Proteomics Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :A) today announced that Agilent Ventures has participated in the Series A Preferred Stock Stock shares that have preferential rights to dividends or to amounts distributable on liquidation, or to both, ahead of common shareholders. Preferred stock is given preference over common stock. Holders of preferred stock receive dividends at a fixed annual rate. funding round for Aria Biosystems Corp., a privately held company privately held company A firm whose shares are held within a relatively small circle of owners and are not traded publicly. that develops simple and affordable label-free assays for the detection of biological molecules (such as DNA DNA: see nucleic acid. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid One of two types of nucleic acid (the other is RNA); a complex organic compound found in all living cells and many viruses. It is the chemical substance of genes. , 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. "Agilent Ventures' investment in Aria demonstrates our ongoing commitment to seek strategic partnerships with early-stage companies," said Maximilian Schroeck, managing director for Agilent Ventures. "Actively investing in life sciences start-up companies with innovative technologies enables Agilent to form mutually beneficial relationships." "The study of proteins is extremely complex, and new technologies and chemistries are particularly critical to the advancement of this field," said Fran DiNuzzo, vice president and general manager of Agilent's Integrated Biology Solutions unit. "As our customers move beyond protein identification and expression, they want to study protein interactions -- Aria's technology promises to be a breakthrough for this application. The utility and affordability of their technology could make protein-function measurements routine in all biology labs." "It is gratifying grat·i·fy tr.v. grat·i·fied, grat·i·fy·ing, grat·i·fies 1. To please or satisfy: His achievement gratified his father. See Synonyms at please. 2. to have Agilent Ventures as an investor in Aria," said Winnie H. Wan, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Aria Biosystems. "Agilent is a worldwide leader in the life sciences arena, and we expect to benefit both from their counsel and as a strategic partner for our future development." About Aria Biosystems Corporation Aria Biosystems, located in Menlo Park, Calif., is developing and commercializing tools to make the detection and analysis of biomolecules This page aims to list articles on Wikipedia that describe particular biomolecules or types of biomolecules. This list is not necessarily complete or up to date - if you see an article that should be here but isn't (or one that shouldn't be here but is), please update the page simpler, faster and more cost effective than conventional methods. The core of the Aria technology is a disposable fiber optic sensor adapted from the telecommunications industry and used in combination with various bioassay Bioassay A method for the quantitation of the effects on a biological system by its exposure to a substance, as well as the quantitation of the concentration of a substance by some observable effect on a biological system. technologies. The use of fiber optics fiber optics, transmission of digitized messages or information by light pulses along hair-thin glass fibers. Each fiber is surrounded by a cladding having a high index of refractance so that the light is internally reflected and travels the length of the fiber enables Aria's sensors to be small and readily configured to meet the bioanalytical needs of its customers. About Agilent Ventures Agilent Ventures is a business unit of Agilent Technologies Inc. dedicated to investing globally in groundbreaking, privately held, early-stage technology companies. Additional information about Agilent Ventures is available at www.agilentventures.com. About Agilent Technologies Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company's 28,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $6.1 billion in fiscal year 2003. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com. NOTE TO EDITORS: Press releases, photography and other information can be accessed on the Agilent Life Sciences and Chemical Analysis newsroom at www.agilent.com/about/newsroom/lsca. Further technology, corporate citizenship Corporate Citizenship The extent to which businesses are socially responsible in meeting legal, ethical and economic responsibilities placed on them by shareholders. The aim it to create higher standards of living and quality of life in the community in which it operates, while and executive news is available on the Agilent news site at www.agilent.com/go/news. |
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