Molecular Sensing, Inc. and VIB Enter Agreement in Alzheimer’s Disease Research

MONTARA, CA--(Marketwire - April 22, 2009) -

Molecular Sensing, Inc. (MSI) today announced that it has entered into a Life Science Early Access Program (LEAP) research agreement with VIB to use MSI’s proprietary Back-Scattering Interferometry (BSI) technology to study ligand binding to the membrane-bound gamma-secretase complex, an alternative drug target in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The aim of the project is the characterization of the substrate recognition mechanism of the gamma-secretase complex and to screen for potential drug compounds that inhibit amyloid build-up. Financial details were not disclosed.

Dr. Bart de Strooper of the VIB Department of Molecular and Developmental Genetics at the K.U.Leuven is a leading international expert in Alzheimer’s research and was accorded the $200,000 MetLife prize in 2008 for his pioneering research. “Elucidation of the structure-function relationship of the active gamma-secretase complex is important for understanding the basic biology and pathogenesis of AD. Development of APP-selective gamma-secretase inhibitors is one of the major directions in AD therapeutics,” says Dr. de Strooper.

“BSI is a breakthrough in molecular interaction assay technology, in particular, characterizing ligand binding to integral, membrane-bound proteins,” said Scot Weinberger, MSI’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are pleased to work with Dr. de Strooper and VIB to enhance their efforts and progress towards understanding the mechanisms of AD and elucidating new and improved therapeutics for its treatment.”

About Molecular Sensing

Molecular Sensing, Inc. is an early stage biotechnology company, located in the San Francisco Bay area, dedicated to the commercialization of BSI molecular interaction instrumentation, services and applications that enable label-free in vitro biochemical and cell-based assays using kinetic and quantitative end-point analysis.

MSI’s Life Science Early Access Program (LEAP) is a fee-based early access program designed to provide customized collaboration partnerships with major laboratories in basic life sciences and pharmaceutical R&D.

About VIB

VIB is a non-profit research institute in the life sciences. Some 1100 scientists and technicians conduct strategic basic research on the molecular mechanisms that control the functioning of the human body, plants, and micro-organisms. Through a close partnership with four Flemish universities -- Ghent University, the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, the University of Antwerp, and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel -- and a solid investment program. VIB unites the forces of 65 research groups in a single institute. Their research aims at fundamentally extending the frontiers of our knowledge. Through its technology transfer activities, VIB strives to convert the research results into products for the benefit of consumers and patients. VIB also develops and distributes a broad range of scientifically substantiated information about all aspects of biotechnology. More info at: www.vib.be.

About K.U.Leuven

The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, founded in 1425, is one of the oldest universities in Europe. The university offers a wide range of programs of study, in Dutch as well as in English. In addition, the K.U.Leuven is an international management research center, with a good balance between fundamental and applied research in a variety of disciplines. The university has over 33,000 students, a tenth of which come from abroad. Over 17,000 people work at the university, about half of whom are employed by UZ Leuven, the university hospitals. More info at: www.kuleuven.be.

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