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Invitrogen Corporation and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Team on Cancer Screening; Collaboration Will Use Proteomics Technologies to Focus on Early Cancer Diagnostics

Posted on: Tuesday, 13 September 2005, 18:01 CDT

Invitrogen Corporation (Nasdaq:IVGN), a provider of essential life science technologies for disease research and drug discovery, and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center today announced they have entered into a multi-year collaborative research program for the development of diagnostics and screening tools for cancer. Under the collaboration, Invitrogen will use its expertise with the human proteome and proteomics-based approaches in combination with investigations by the lab of Sam Hanash, M.D., Ph.D., at the Hutchinson Center. Invitrogen will utilize a variety of its proteomics technologies including its flagship ProtoArray(TM) protein microarrays and extensive protein and antibody collections. Invitrogen will also be able to license technologies produced as a result of the collaboration. Other terms of the collaboration were not disclosed.

"We are honored to be working alongside pre-eminent scientists such as Dr. Hanash," said Invitrogen Chairman and CEO, Gregory T. Lucier. "At Invitrogen we have developed and applied a comprehensive biotechnology platform to the challenge of accelerating drug discovery and disease research. This collaboration is another important step in our efforts to support patient-specific research."

Earlier detection of cancer allows for potentially higher cure rates. The collaboration is aimed at producing enabling, industry-changing technology that will change the way diseases are diagnosed and treated. Additionally, technology developed from the partnership has the potential to greatly accelerate proteomics-based approaches for all biomedical research -- one of the most crucial areas of study today.

"The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is focused on preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer and other debilitating disease," explained Hanash. "We are excited to work with an organization like Invitrogen to re-think cancer research. We believe this collaboration can push the boundaries of current cancer detection."

Invitrogen's proteomics capabilities span a broad range of applications including protein expression, separation, characterization and target screening. The collaborative effort is highlighted by Invitrogen's ProtoArray -- a functional microarray used to measure protein interactions that could prove key to better therapeutic monitoring, and cures with far fewer drug side-effects. Currently, the ProtoArray contains more than 5,000 unique human proteins focused on key drug target families. Invitrogen has continued development of the array content with an eventual goal of capturing every significant human protein on the chips.

In 2004 Invitrogen announced a partnership with Mayo Clinic around the discovery of unique cancer biomarkers using its drug discovery technology portfolio. Together these collaborations demonstrate a broad approach to oncology research utilizing different tools to solve unique challenges at each organization.

"We believe that as our understanding of disease at a molecular level advances, early screening systems will play an important role in optimizing therapy," concluded Lucier. "We are hopeful screening technologies from our partnership with the Hutchinson Center will allow physicians in the future to quickly diagnose disease and determine treatment options for patients before they even know they are sick."

About Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, our interdisciplinary teams of world-renowned scientists and humanitarians work together to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS and other diseases. Our researchers, including three Nobel laureates, bring a relentless pursuit and passion for health, knowledge and hope to their work and to the world. For more information, please visit www.fhcrc.org.

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 bioproduction. Invitrogen's own research and development efforts are focused on breakthrough innovation in all major areas of biological discovery including functional genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics and cell biology -- placing Invitrogen's products in nearly every major laboratory in the world. Founded in 1987, Invitrogen is headquartered in Carlsbad, California, 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 of more than $1 billion in 2004. For more information, visit www.invitrogen.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

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 will utilize its expertise with the human proteome and proteomics-based approaches in combination with investigations by the lab of Dr. Hanash; 2) Invitrogen will utilize a variety of proteomics technologies including ProtoArray, protein and antibody collections; 3) Invitrogen will license technologies produced as a result of the collaboration; 4) The collaboration is aimed at producing enabling, industry-changing technology that will change the way diseases are diagnosed and treated; 5) The partnership can push the boundaries of current cancer detection. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks: a) Invitrogen may expand or contract the specific technologies involved in the partnership; b) Invitrogen may choose not to license technologies derived from the collaboration; and c) the collaboration may have no significant impact on current cancer detection technologies, as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Invitrogen's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

Source: Business Wire

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