Aptamera, Inc. and Assay Designs, Inc. Announce Strategic Alliance in Cancer Detection; Companies Join Forces to Market New OncoMarker IHC Kit for Research Use.Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers BIOWIRE2K LOUISVILLE, Ky. & ANN ARBOR Ann Arbor, city (1990 pop. 109,592), seat of Washtenaw co., S Mich., on the Huron River; inc. 1851. It is a research and educational center, with a large number of government and industrial research and development firms, many in high-technology fields such as , Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 28, 2003 Aptamera, Inc. and Assay Designs, Inc. announced today the finalization of an agreement which will bring new tumor-cell staining technology to the market for academic and corporate researchers in the fight against cancer. The OncoMarker IHC IHC Immunohistochemistry IHC Intermountain Health Care IHC Inner Hair Cells IHC International Harvester Company IHC Internet Healthcare Coalition IHC Indian Head Cent IHC Interactive Health Communication IHC International Hurricane Center kit, an immunohistochemical assay, identifies tumor tumor: see neoplasm. cells by detecting the presence of a specific protein on the cell surface. This technology was discovered and patented by Aptamera scientists. Assay Designs will utilize its vast experience in the manufacturing and distribution of more than 100 high quality research-use tests to bring the enabling product to researchers in mid-2003. The OncoMarker IHC kit is designed to identify individual cancer cells cells once believed to be peculiar to cancers, but now know to be epithelial cells differing in no respect from those found elsewhere in the body, and distinguished only by peculiarity of location and grouping. See also: Cancer in mixed populations of malignant and normal cells, giving cancer researchers a new tool to improve the speed, accuracy, and objectivity of experimental procedures. "Assay Designs is delighted to have signed this product development and marketing agreement with Aptamera," noted Dr. Russell Hart, President and one of the founders of Assay Designs. "We are especially pleased to add this unique assay to the line of novel kits that we offer to researchers who are searching for effective treatments for cancer." Aptamera's novel target, a protein termed nucleolin, is a biomarker biomarker /bio·mark·er/ (bi´o-mahr?ker) 1. a biological molecule used as a marker for a substance or process of interest. 2. tumor marker. bi·o·mark·er n. 1. present on the surface of virtually all types of cancer cell lines tested to date. The OncoMarker IHC kit is the first of multiple products Aptamera is developing for cancer detection using nucleolin as a diagnostic target, including tests designed for both research use and clinical use. The companies will launch promotional efforts for the OncoMarker IHC kit at the Assay Designs booth at the American Association American Association refers to one of the following professional baseball leagues:
About Aptamera Aptamera, Inc. is an oncology drug development company with related diagnostic applications. The Company owns technology focused on a novel cancer target and a family of drug candidates, which are 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. aptamers, that interacts with that target to produce dramatic anti-cancer effects in virtually all tumor types tested to date. Aptamera utilizes the same molecular target for cancer detection product applications as well. For more information, please contact Brian Brohman at (502) 587-0939, or visit the Company's website at www.aptamera.com. About Assay Designs Assay Designs, Inc. is a biotechnology company that develops, manufactures and markets immunoassay Immunoassay An assay that quantifies antigen or antibody by immunochemical means. The antigen can be a relatively simple substance such as a drug, or a complex one such as a protein or a virus. and detection kits, as well as reagents. The Company is in its tenth year of operation and has grown substantially during that period. Its products are sold in over 50 countries through its network of distributors. ADI products are used by pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms in the drug discovery and development process. University, governmental and other research laboratories use ADI products in the investigation of biochemical processes that affect disease states and other human health areas. For further information on Assay Designs, Inc. please visit the Company's website at www.assaydesigns.com. |
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