Invitrogen Corporation, Qualyst, Inc. to Launch New Hepatocyte Screening Services and Products
Carlsbad, Calif., and Research Triangle Park, NC, Oct. 13, 2008 – Invitrogen Corporation (NASDAQ:IVGN), a provider of essential life science technologies for research, production and diagnostics, and Qualyst, Inc., a leader in the development and commercialization of novel and proprietary hepatobiliary disposition and drug transport technologies, today announced the companies have entered a co-exclusive agreement to offer hepatocyte (liver cell) screening services and research products. Through Invitrogen’s wholly-owned subsidiary, CellzDirect, the company will provide in-house services and commercialized kits which combine Qualyst’s proprietary B-CLEAR® technology and CellzDirect’s industry-leading cell products. Financial details were not disclosed.
All new potential drugs require in vitro hepatocyte testing for toxicity risks. Determination of liver disposition and possible drug transporter interactions is a critical component of drug development. CellzDirect provides a complete line of hepatocytes, and high-quality products and services focused primarily on drug metabolism and transport. Qualyst’s B-CLEAR® technology is a patented system for the in vitro assessment and in vivo prediction of hepatobiliary disposition, hepatic uptake, hepatic efflux, biliary clearance and drug transport.
“The combination of CellzDirect’s hepatocyte expertise and technology and Qualyst’s patented technology will create robust hepatocyte testing systems to help pharmaceutical companies avoid costly drug development challenges and expedite the development of safe and effective drugs,” said Rob Brainin Vice President and General Manager of CellzDirect.
“Commercialization of the B-CLEAR® technology through CellzDirect will provide researchers with convenient access to this powerful approach, enabling them generate valuable data related to the disposition of their drugs.” “We have long worked with CellzDirect and are excited to expand our relationship and accelerate the adoption of B-CLEAR® across the drug discovery and development industry,” said Marc Sedam, Chief Operating Officer of Qualyst. “Drug transporter-based research is expanding dramatically and we believe working with CellzDirect will provide industry leadership in this area.” The new hepatocyte testing system will be available as a service through Invitrogen in mid-December. The system will be available for purchase in early 2009. All B-CLEAR® products and services continue to be available from Qualyst.
About Qualyst, Inc.
Qualyst commercializes novel and proprietary drug transport and hepatobiliary disposition products for drug discovery and development. Qualyst’s products allow pharmaceutical and biotechnology researchers to make faster, better decisions regarding drug candidate compounds, saving valuable time and research dollars in the process. For additional information, please refer to the company's web site at www.qualyst.com or call (919) 313-6500.
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, stem cells, cell therapy 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 employs approximately 4,700 scientists and other professionals and had revenues of approximately $1.3 billion in 2007. 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 provide in-house services and create robust commercialized kits for hepatocyte (liver cell) screening services and research products; 2) the new hepatocyte testing system will be available as a service through Invitrogen in mid-December; 3) the system will be available for purchase in early 2009. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to; a) pharmaceutical companies may or may not avoid costly drug development challenges and expedite the development of safe and effective drugs; b) commercialization of the B-CLEAR® technology through CellzDirect may or may not provide researchers with convenient access to this powerful approach; c) and may or may not enable researchers to generate valuable data related to the disposition of their drugs; and the risks that the market will not accept the companies’ products and services, or that the companies will be unsuccessful in their efforts to develop new products and services, as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Invitrogen's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
Media Contact Invitrogen, Revelle Bailey, Public Relations, (760) 268-7482, revelle.bailey@invitrogen.com Qualyst, Marc Sedam, Chief Operating Officer, (919) 313-6511, info@qualyst.com