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At the 12th Annual SBS Conference & Exhibition 2006 Cambridge, UK; 18 September 2006 – Akubio Ltd, the acoustic biosensors company, launched its RAP·id 4 biomolecular interactions analysis system today at the 12th Annual SBS Conference & Exhibition, Seattle, Washington. Based on the Company’s pioneering Resonant Acoustic Profiling (RAP) technology, RAP·id 4 enables real-time label-free measurement and analysis of biomolecular interactions with the highest level of accuracy, reproducibility and sensitivity. RAP·id 4 is a flow-based system which reduces the need to purify samples and generates accurate kinetic, affinity and concentration measurements from complex mixtures, such as cell culture supernatants and periplasmic extracts. A stand-alone, fully automated platform, RAP·id 4 requires minimal user intervention and is controlled via user-friendly software, typically processing an average of 400 samples per day. RAP measures the oscillation of a resonating quartz crystal, which decreases in proportion to the mass of the molecules binding to its surface. Researchers interrogate and evaluate the data using the intuitive RAP·id Workbench software package.
Dr Ian Campbell, Business Development Director said: “RAP·id 4 allows users to work directly with complex samples, with minimal need for pre-assay purification or post-assay calibration. The system has been optimised for protein-protein interaction analysis and our application scientists continue to broaden the application areas of RAP·id 4.” Commenting on the launch, Andrew Mackintosh, CEO Akubio Ltd, said: "We are delighted to announce the launch of RAP·id 4, which represents an important step in the commercial development of Akubio and the delivery of an important new analytical tool to the pharmaceutical and general life science research community. While we are focussing on enabling the work of researchers, we believe that RAP will also have applications in broader markets. With our proprietary RAP acoustic technology, Akubio is set to become one of the world’s leading biosensor companies.” - ENDS - Notes to editors: About Akubio Akubio is a leading developer and provider of systems for the real- time measurement and analysis of biomolecular interactions, using pioneering acoustic detection technology. A spin-out from the University of Cambridge, Akubio was founded in 2001 to develop acoustic biosensor instrumentation with core intellectual property invented within the University. Resonant Acoustic Profiling (RAP) enables the real-time detection of molecular interactions, and can be applied in many fields. Today, through the RAP·id product range, Akubio is firmly focused on enabling molecular measurement in research, therapy development and drug discovery research. Akubio is a privately owned company, with funding provided by a number of investors. Abingworth Management Ltd, a leading UK based venture capital company, is the lead investor and other shareholders include GlaxoSmithKline, Cambridge University and the Cambridge Challenge Fund. For more information please about Akubio please visit www.akubio.com About RAP·id 4 Akubio's RAP·id 4 system provides real-time measurement and analysis of biomolecular interactions, using pioneering acoustic detection technology. Based on the Company’s Resonant Acoustic Profiling (RAP) technology, the advanced system can analyse up to 4 samples simultaneously in a constant flow environment. The electronics system provides accurate binding data for purified proteins as well as for proteins in complex mixtures, such as cell culture supernatants and periplasmic extracts. Automated sample handling, precise temperature control and fast, user-friendly data analysis software allows minimal user intervention: typically 400 samples can be analysed in one day. Delivering information on affinity, binding kinetics and target concentration, RAP generates data with excellent experimental reproducibility. The system has been optimised for protein-protein interaction analysis although the technology will be extended to other applications. About Resonant Acoustic Profiling (RAP) technology RAP measures the oscillation of a functionalised resonating quartz crystal, which decrease as molecules bind to its surface. This response is in proportion to the mass of molecules bound to the surface. Proprietary electronics and algorithms enable Akubio to use RAP measurements to provide binding information on biomolecular interactions. RAP measures materials that physically bind to the crystal, resulting in increased accuracy over conventional optical detection methods, which typically rely on proximity measurements. Furthermore, unlike optical biosensors, RAP is unaffected by solvents, which removes the need to run calibration routines to normalise for the effect of organic solvents such as DMSO, or components of crude cell lysates, culture medium or serum samples.
For more information please contact: At Akubio Dr Ian Campbell, Business Development Director Akubio Ltd 181 Cambridge Science Park Cambridge CB4 0GJ, UK
Tel: +44 1223
225335 Email: icampbell@akubio.com At Northbank Communications: (media relations for Akubio) Lorna Watson, Senior Account Manager
Northbank
Communications Ltd
Tel: +44 (0)20
3008 7559 |
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