Invitrogen Corporation Expands Proteomics Capabilities with Launch of Mass Spectrometry Solutions and Co-Marketing Agreement with Applied Biosystems.

SAN ANTONIO -- Invitrogen Corporation (Nasdaq:IVGN) today announced the availability of a suite of proteomics kits and reagents -- anchored by SILAC(TM) protein identification and quantification labeling technology -- designed to help life scientists advance their proteomics research through the use of mass spectrometry. In concert, the company announced a co-marketing agreement with Applied Biosystems Group (NYSE:ABI), an Applera Corporation business, to facilitate the introduction of the SILAC technology. Under the terms of the alliance, Applied Biosystems and Invitrogen will re-sell a combined collection of labeling technologies consisting of Applied Biosystems' proprietary set of protein and peptide labeling technologies -- iTRAQ(TM) and ICAT(R) reagents -- and Invitrogen's SILAC technology.

Applied Biosystems will also provide software support for SILAC on its TOF/TOF(TM) family of products, including the newly launched 4800 MALDI TOF/TOF(TM) Analyzer, and plans to extend software support for the SILAC labeling technology to other Applied Biosystems/MDS SCIEX protein mass spectrometry systems. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

SILAC protein identification and quantification labeling technology is designed to allow life science researchers, from molecular biologists to biochemists, to take advantage of proteomics applications utilizing mass spectrometry, which may significantly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of drug discovery research. SILAC is a metabolic labeling technology that enables scientists to identify and quantitate the relative abundance of proteins in two different samples with expression changes as low as 30% with coefficients of variation as low as 8% in a wide range of cell culture workflows. All proteins are labeled using SILAC including membrane, basic, low abundance and uniquely expressed proteins. SILAC also uses 1-D electrophoresis for sample fractionation before mass spectrometry analysis.

Invitrogen's new line of mass spectrometry products, including SILAC, creates a suite of products that can be used with a wide range of cell culture workflows for a variety of biomarker discovery applications. Additional new products include mass spectrometry compatible solubilizers, Invitrosol(TM) LC/MS and Invitrosol MALDI, two MALDI matrices (Max Ion(TM) protein and Max Ion peptide) and Invitromass(TM) HMW and LMW calibrants. These products are being introduced at the American Society for Mass Spectrometry 53rd Annual Conference.

"The automation and accuracy of mass spectrometry is adding a new dimension to drug discovery and research, opening up avenues of inquiry that have, up until now, been hindered by technical limitations," said Cheri Walker, Vice President of Proteomics business for Invitrogen. "In the post-genomics era, scientific research is being conducted on an increasingly complex scale, and proteomics applications such as mass spec will be integral to the accelerated interpretation and analysis of the data generated. Invitrogen is committed to developing a full suite of technologies that enable life scientists to easily integrate mass spec analysis into their experimental workflows."

The co-marketing agreement with Applied Biosystems will include the full suite of tagging technologies for mass spectrometry including SILAC technology and Applied Biosystems' ICAT(R) and iTRAQ(TM) labeling reagents for proteomic analyses and biomarker studies in drug discovery and disease research. Together, these products can substitute the role of 2D gel analysis in comparing relative protein levels between samples ranging from cell culture lines to tissues and serum. Additionally, Invitrogen and Applied Biosystems plan to co-develop and co-market easy to use proteomic application kits supporting the transition of samples onto a mass spectrometer, as well as innovative proteomics offerings including matrices, solubilizers, calibrants and other products.

"While the perceived complexities of mass spectrometry have, to some extent, limited its use thus far, Invitrogen's world class proteomics kits and reagents will reduce many of these technical hurdles," said Gregory T. Lucier, Chairman and CEO of Invitrogen Corp. "Additionally, Applied Biosystems' knowledge of labeling chemistries and Applied Biosystems/MDS SCIEX expertise in mass spec will facilitate our ability to introduce this exciting technology to a broader market. Finally, by aligning ourselves with Applied Biosystems/MDS SCIEX market-leading mass spec development, we can offer scientists a suite of convenient, compatible products to accelerate proteomic studies."

"By working with Invitrogen, the capabilities of two leaders in their respective fields are brought together to deliver improved solutions for proteomics customers. We believe that this alliance will expand the use of our collective mass spectrometry labeling reagents within the biologist community," said Cathy Burzik, President of Applied Biosystems. "The alliance also provides great potential to develop, market, and sell additional reagent products optimized on Applied Biosystems/MDS SCIEX mass spectrometry systems."

About Applied Biosystems/MDS SCIEX

Applied Biosystems/MDS SCIEX is a joint venture between Applied Biosystems and MDS Sciex, a division of MDS Inc. (NYSE:MDZ), (TSX:MDS) that develops mass spectrometry systems for life science research, drug discovery and development, protein biomarker research, quality and safety testing, and forensic analysis.

About Invitrogen

Invitrogen Corporation (Nasdaq:IVGN) provides products and services that support academic and government research institutions and pharmaceutical and biotech companies worldwide in their efforts to improve the human condition. The company provides essential life science technologies for disease research, drug discovery and commercial bio-production. Invitrogen's own research and development efforts are focused on breakthrough innovation in all major areas of biological discovery, including functional genomics, proteomics, bio-informatics and cell biology, placing Invitrogen's products in nearly every major laboratory in the world. Founded in 1987, Invitrogen is headquartered in Carlsbad, Calif., and conducts business in more than 70 countries around the world. The company globally employs approximately 4,500 scientists and other professionals, and had revenues in excess of $1 billion in 2004. Information about Invitrogen is available on the Web at www.invitrogen.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release are considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and it is Invitrogen's intent that such statements be protected by the safe harbor created thereby. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: 1) Invitrogen's product lines and Applied Biosystems' expertise in mass spectrometry will facilitate the ability to introduce the technology to a broader market; 2) Invitrogen and Applied Biosystems will re-sell a suite of their combined technologies that will include SILAC technology; 3) Adoption of mass spectrometry will enhance the efficiency and accuracy of drug discovery research; 4) Mass spectrometry research will be integral to the accelerated interpretation and analysis of drug discovery data; 5) Invitrogen and Applied Biosystems plan to co-develop and co-market other application kits; 6) Invitrogen's proteomic technologies will reduce the technical hurdles experienced by researchers; 7) The agreement between Invitrogen and Applied Biosystems will expand mass spectrometry into a broader market. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks: a) The alliance may not drive wider adoption of mass spectrometry applications; and b) Specific technologies in the co-marketing agreement may vary; c) Mass spectrometry applications may not have a significant impact on drug discovery research; d) Mass spectrometry may not be more effective than other methods of data interpretation; e) Invitrogen and Applied Biosystems may not pursue any further collaboration; f) Invitrogen's proteomic technologies may not reduce technical hurdles in research; g) The agreement may not increase adoption of mass spectrometry applications, as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Invitrogen's and Applied Biosystems' Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

ASMS 

Invitrogen representatives will be available for interviews today at the American Society of Mass Spectrometry annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas. Please contact Greg Geissman at 760-212-9297 or [e-mail] to arrange an interview at the event.

***Note to Editors: For additional product information and photos, please contact Carolyn Hawley at 858-527-3484 or [e-mail].