BioMachines Announces New Proteomics Services Division

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., July 14 /PRNewswire/ -- BioMachines Inc., a biotech company that develops, manufactures and sells advanced automation tools to accelerate drug discovery and development, announced today a new services division -- Applied Proteomics Services. The new division of BioMachines is the result of an agreement with the University of Massachusetts Medical School's Proteomic Fractionation Group (PFG). BioMachines will leverage the experience of UMMS researchers Sunny Tam, PhD and Douglas Hinerfeld, PhD to support the Applied Proteomics Services group.

The group provides diverse proteomic sample preparation, fractionation and mass spectrometry services for state-of-the-art analysis. Applied Proteomics Services will utilize its fully integrated technology platform to provide real advantages in data quality, throughput and the ability to review, interpret and troubleshoot experimental outcomes.

"This new relationship combines the deep knowledge and expertise of the PFG team with proven sample preparation automation equipment, to offer our customers the best combined set of resources on the market," said Tom Larrichio, BioMachines' Chief Executive Officer. "Protein-based biopharmaceuticals are enjoying great commercial success. Specifically, monoclonal antibodies are a very exciting area, where sales are projected to grow from a $15 billion market in 2005 to a $27 billion market in 2010. This is in addition to protein analysis that is required for small-molecule therapies. We are focused on this growing market by providing expertise in protein analysis through a fee-for-services model," added Larrichio.

"We are delighted about this collaborative relationship with BioMachines which will enable us to reach out and serve more clients in this exciting technology area. Our technology platform will be expanded and more biopharmaceutical applications utilizing our proteomic expertise will be created," Sunny Tam, PhD, research associate professor of biochemistry & molecular pharmacology.

About BioMachines Inc.

BioMachines Inc., a privately owned biotech company, provides the life sciences industry with proven solutions for drug discovery and development through advanced automation and proteomic research services. Its vision- enabled, small-liquid handling, high-precision instrument systems are designed to automate complex laboratory workflows. Current products and services include automating front-end sample preparation for MALDI (Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization) mass spectrometry analysis, pathogen detection device development, and Proteomic Services. BioMachines' instrumentation and consumable platform provides cost-effective, reliable and high-quality solutions that scale from discovery in the research laboratory to clinical drug development. BioMachines is headquartered in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. For more information, please visit www.bio-machines.com.

About UMMS PFG

The University of Massachusetts Medical School's Proteomic Fractionation Group (UMMS PFG) is a technology center offering diverse proteomic sample preparation and fractionation services. The center offers integrative proteomic research services by employing a variety of validated technologies and novel protocols. It provides state-of-the-art proteomic analysis of complex protein mixtures derived from whole organisms, tissues, cells, sub- cellular fractions or partially purified mixtures for the discovery of biomarkers or toxicology safety markers, drug mechanism studies, technology validation and many others. The laboratory continuously supports the research, educational and clinical programs at UMMS and also provides services to both academic and industrial researchers globally.

CONTACT: Media Relations, Julie Sheldon of BioMachines Inc.,+1-919-883-0012, or jsheldon@bio-machines.com; or Michael Cohen of UMMS,+1-508-856-2000, or michael.cohen@umassmed.edu

Web site: http://www.bio-machines.com//