Amersham Biosciences Introduces LEADseeker Multimodality Imaging System.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

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PISCATAWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 23, 2002

Newest Version of LEADseeker(TM) Adds Multiple Fluorescent

Imaging Capability

Amersham Biosciences, the life sciences business of Amersham plc (LSE: NYSE: OSE: AHM), has launched the LEADseeker(TM)Multimodality Imaging System.

This new version of the highly successful LEADseeker detection systems offers additional fluorescence imaging capabilities, further expanding the instrument's broad-based applications in high-throughput drug screening (HTS).

Amersham Biosciences developed the LEADseeker Multimodality Imaging System in response to the increasing demand in drug discovery for a versatile detection system that can facilitate fluorescence-based bioassay development and high-throughput drug screening. Now, in addition to radiometric, luminescence, and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) detection, LEADseeker can also perform fluorescence polarization, time resolved fluorescence (TRF), and TR-FRET detection. These advanced, fluorescence-based detection methodologies are driving innovation in bioassay development.

LEADseeker's pioneering CCD (charge coupled device) detection technology, combined with powerful algorithms for data processing and analysis, allow scientists to test more than one million drug compounds in a single day.

"No other imaging system for HTS packs so much power, value and versatility into one instrument," says John Sutton, Vice President, Product Development, Bioassays, at Amersham Biosciences. "With the ability to detect light emitted by virtually any assay method and the flexibility to accommodate any plate size, including 96, 384 and 1536 well formats, the LEADseeker Multimodality Imaging System is the ultimate solution for high-throughput and ultra-high-throughput screening (HTS) for drug discovery."

The newest version of LEADseeker continues Amersham Biosciences' track record of setting the industry standard in image detection for high-throughput screening. Using state-of-the-art CCD technology, LEADseeker detects light emitted from an entire microtiter plate at one time, regardless of the number of wells. This ability saves an enormous amount of time compared to conventional readers that scan plates one well at a time. Additionally, the LEADseeker Multimodality Imaging System's rapid plate transfer system, sophisticated optics, and high-speed data processing capabilities enable the instrument to process an entire microtiter plate in less than 20 seconds --significantly faster than competing detection systems.

In designing the LEADseeker Multimodality Imaging System, Amersham Biosciences anticipated the emerging trend in drug discovery and HTS toward assay miniaturization, and the transition to high density 384 and 1536 well formats. The system provides fast, simple and reliable operation for laboratories that are developing fluorescent, luminescent, or radiometric assays -- or all three -- in any plate format.

Amersham Biosciences, the life sciences business of Amersham plc (LSE: NYSE: OSE: AHM), is a world leader in developing and providing integrated systems and solutions for disease research, drug development and manufacture. Our systems are used to uncover the function of genes and proteins, for the discovery and development of drugs and for the manufacture of biopharmaceuticals. The customers for Amersham Biosciences' products and technology are pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and research and academic institutions, principally in North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia. More information about Amersham Biosciences is available at www.amershambiosciences.com.

Amersham Biosciences--enabling molecular medicine