SAN DIEGO, June 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Cyntellect, Inc., a privately-held biotechnology company, today announced that it has received a $2.2 million equity purchase milestone payment from Sigma-Aldrich. The milestone payment represents Cyntellect’s satisfaction of certain terms and conditions under the two companies’ exclusive Cell Xpress(TM) service commercialization agreement executed one year ago. Sigma-Aldrich will employ Cyntellect’s LEAP(TM) system to support its Cell Xpress service business to rapidly identify and clone high-producing cells used in manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals (such as recombinant proteins and monoclonal antibodies) and diagnostic antibodies.
“We are pleased to have achieved the next level in our relationship with Sigma-Aldrich, and we look forward to supporting their success in globally commercializing Cell Xpress,” stated Fred Koller, Ph.D., President and Chief Technology Officer of Cyntellect.
Cell Xpress is based upon Cyntellect’s proprietary LEAP (Laser Enabled Analysis and Processing) platform, which enables a high-throughput process for in situ measurement of protein secretion on an individual cell basis, coupled with laser-based elimination of undesired cells. As a result, Cell Xpress directly clones the cells secreting the highest amounts of protein. The automated capabilities of LEAP also provide for further process improvements by facilitating the integration of culture media optimization with the cell cloning process, in addition to detailed documentation about the clonal and growth history of each cell line that is developed to comply with FDA requirements.
About Cyntellect
Cyntellect, Inc. is a biotechnology company committed to revolutionizing the use of living cells in life science research and cellular therapy. The Company combines expertise in high-speed cell imaging and laser-based manipulation to develop products that enable novel cell imaging, purification, and transfection capabilities to enhance the productivity of laboratory research, recombinant protein production, high-content cellular assays, functional genomics and proteomics, and cell purification, including processing of cells for therapeutic transplantation. For additional information please visit the Company’s web site at www.cyntellect.com.
About Sigma-Aldrich
Sigma-Aldrich is a leading Life Science and High Technology company. The Company’s biochemical and organic chemical products and kits are used in scientific and genomic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, the diagnosis of disease and as key components in pharmaceutical and other high technology manufacturing. It has customers in life science companies, university and government institutions, hospitals and in industry. Over one million scientists and technologists use its products. Sigma-Aldrich operates in 35 countries and has 7,000 employees providing excellent service worldwide. The Company is committed to the success of our Customers, Employees and Shareholders through leadership in Life Science, High Technology and Service. For more information about Sigma-Aldrich, please visit its award-winning web site at http://www.sigma-aldrich.com.
Source: Cyntellect, Inc.
