STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Feb. 18, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Gyros AB announced today that the first application for Gyros technology is under evaluation by the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research. The work is being carried out in collaboration with Professor Ulf Hellman, a Member of the Ludwig Institute.
The soon-to-be-launched application from Gyros is designed to improve and streamline sample preparation prior to analysis by MALDI mass spectrometry, a technique used for protein identification not only at the Ludwig Institute, but throughout the world of research and drug discovery.
Professor Hellman explained the reason for his interest: "In our Protein Structure Group we need to identify low abundance proteins and we work with minute amounts of sample, often only a few nanograms are available. We have to specialize in sample preparation techniques not only because we handle such small amounts, but also because any improvement in sample preparation can lead to an increase in sensitivity for the final analysis."
Excellent sample preparation is crucial to achieve highest sensitivity and a high success rate for identification by MALDI mass spectrometry. The microfluidic solution from Gyros integrates several preparation steps into one automated process and achieves sensitivity levels close to the detection limit of a MALDI mass spectrometer. Multiple samples can be processed in parallel within a microlaboratory in the form of a CD.
Professor Hellman continued, "This work will be an interesting challenge between man and machine. As anyone working with MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry knows, the most precious samples are prepared individually and with great care to ensure the highest sensitivity. To achieve a similar result on a fully automated system would be a major step forward in productivity for our lab."
"The Protein Structure Group at the Ludwig Institute works with the same techniques and has similar goals to those working in the proteomics area of drug discovery, the main target group for our new system," explained Per Sjoberg, Executive Vice President Commercial Operations at Gyros," Professor Hellman's work will be of great benefit to us and is a perfect complement to testing already in progress at the proteomics company, Ace BioSciences, in Denmark. We are extremely confident of a successful launch within a matter of months."
About Gyros AB
Gyros AB offers pharmaceutical, biotechnology and diagnostic companies a unique, proprietary technology platform in which routine or non-routine laboratory processes can be miniaturized and integrated into application- specific CDs. Hundreds of samples can be processed in parallel on these disposable microlaboratories. This new platform brings outstanding gains in efficiency, cost-effectiveness and information content. The ability to integrate different laboratory steps on a single CD offers the potential to reassess and redesign traditional working procedures. The company was founded in 2000 as a spin-off from Amersham Biosciences and currently has more than 80 employees working at its headquarters in Uppsala Science Park, Sweden and in regional sales offices in the USA and UK.
About the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
The Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research was established in 1972 and research is carried out at ten different Branches located in Brussels, Lausanne, London (two sites), Melbourne, New York, San Diego, Sao Paulo, Stockholm and Uppsala. In addition, the Institute has administrative offices in New York, London and Zurich. The Uppsala Branch was established in 1986 with the aim of elucidating the signaling pathways in cells that control cell growth and to develop clinically useful antagonists of growth factor action.
Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical may be forward-looking and include risks and uncertainties. Therefore, though based on Gyros' current expectations, it should be duly noted that a variety of factors could cause actual results and experiences to differ materially from what is herein expressed. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks associated with the management of growth and international operations (including effects of currency fluctuations), variability of operating results, unforeseen changes in the diagnostic and pharmaceutical markets, market competition, rapid or unexpected changes in technologies, fluctuations in product demand, difficulties to successfully develop, adapt, produce or commercialize products, the ability to identify and develop new products and to differentiate products from those of competitors, as well as various legal hazards.
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