Agilix Details Versatility of Advanced Multiplexed Protein Labeling Technology for Biomarker Discovery

01/19/05 -- Agilix Corporation presented data showing the versatility and analytical power of its i-PROT(TM) technology for the identification and validation of biomarkers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis at the Cambridge Healthtech Institute's "PepTalk" conference in San Diego. As with many diseases, early detection of rheumatoid arthritis using protein biomarkers may allow for earlier and more effective intervention. In the presentation, i-PROT was used to identify biomarkers in human serum samples with a variety of mass spectrometers commonly used in academic, industrial and pharmaceutical laboratories.

"The versatility of the i-PROT labeling technology is outstanding - this data shows that researchers can use their existing mass spectrometers to achieve exceptional data quality through the simultaneous readout of multiple patient samples," said Darin R. Latimer, Ph.D., vice president of Agilix Corporation, who presented the company's technology at the conference. "Breaking through this 'multiplexing barrier' with instruments that proteomics researchers use everyday provides a powerful new platform for life science research including biomarker discovery, mechanism of action studies, and pharmacodynamics."

i-PROT, for isobaric protein labels, represents discrete, proprietary labels that are attached to proteins so they can be quantified or analyzed using mass spectrometry. The Agilix i-PROT system has the unique capability to measure multiple labels simultaneously, increasing the quality and usefulness of data compared to methods that process samples serially.

"This identification of rheumatoid arthritis biomarkers from plasma, conducted with a variety of instruments, demonstrates the flexibility and power of i-PROT technology for important human proteome projects," said Martin J. Mattessich, president and CEO of Agilix Corporation. "i-PROT helps close the gap that now exists between proteomics discovery and routine diagnostics and therapeutics."

ABOUT AGILIX

Agilix Corporation is a leading developer of functional genomics and proteomics platform technologies to aid in the discovery and analysis of genes, their protein products and related biological functions. Agilix Corporation previously announced issuance of U.S. Patent #6,824,981, a first-in-class patent with over 500 allowed claims describing isobaric protein labeling, a major innovation underlying Agilix' i-PROT(TM) labeling technology. Agilix is headquartered in New Haven, Connecticut.

Source: Agilix Corporation