JPK Instruments AG Profitable with nanobiotechnology after only 6 months

Berlin (November 26, 2002) - After only 6 months since the release of its first product JPK Instruments AG, a young company specialized in nano-technological applications will enter the profit zone in the fourth quarter of 2002. Due to the great demand for its products the company also expects to finish the financial year 2003 with a positive result. The NanoWizard(TM) Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), the development of which was started by the Berlin-based company in 2000, has been specifically designed for application in the Soft Matter and Life Science sector. It is the only instrument worldwide to combine Atomic Force Microscopy with traditional visible light microscopy in such a manner, that the surfaces of e.g. living matter such as tissues or single cells can be visualized at a continuous range of magnification from micro- to nano-scale (1,000,000-fold magnification). Hence, the NanoWizard(TM) AFM is suited for fundamental medical research as well as for application in fields such as the pharmaceutical industry.

By reaching profitability after such a short time the venture capital-funded company represents a ground-breaking novelty within the nano(bio)technology sector. Normally for most enterprises in this area it takes years of intensive development efforts to turn the results of research into marketable products. Contrary to this JPK as a so-called "pick-and-shovel-maker" for the Life Science sector is already generating substantial turnover. The company will further extend its business activities on the basis of novel and innovative product solutions.

In 2003 JPK Instruments' range of products will be complemented with the LightWizard(TM) - a Scanning Nearfield Optical Microscope (SNOM). In contrast to the NanoWizard(TM) AFM it will also capture optical properties of the sample alongside its topography, i.e. fluorescence or wave length-specific absorption of the living sample or even of individual molecules.

It is also planned within the next year to extend the distribution area from currently Germany to all of Europe. During the next two years products will also be marketed in America and Asia.

About JPK Instruments AG:
The innovative Berlin-based company JPK Instruments AG which was founded in 1999 is among the first companies worldwide to have implemented and optimized the principle of Atomic Force Microscopy - AFM - for application in the Soft Matter and Life Science sector. By now more than 20 highly skilled members of staff develop and manufacture Atomic Force microscopes and other instruments for nano-biotechnological applications. Numerous patents have been filed. Around the globe there are already several renowned scientific institutions that apply this new form of nano-biotechnology in their research programmes. The JPK technology is also applicable to non-living Soft Matter. The company is one of the first in the nano-biotechnology sector to receive venture capital, e.g. from the IBB Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, tbg, Innovationsfonds des Landes Berlin and from participation in the programme "Futour" hosted by the Ministry of Economics. Future rounds of financing are envisaged to aid the entry into international markets and the in-house product development. The company's know-how derives from the accumulated knowledge of its founders and board members: Torsten Jähnke (physicist), Frank Pelzer (businessman) and Jörn Kamps (physicist). JPK receives support form a supervisory board made up of renowned managers, venture capitalists and Prof. Dr. Klaus Ploog, the highly distinguished Director of the Paul-Drude-Institute Berlin.

Contact:
JPK Instruments AG
Gabriela Bagordo
Communication Manager
Bouchéstr. 12 
D- 12435 Berlin, Germany
Tel.: +49-(0)30-5331-12541
Fax.: +49-(0)30-5331-1202
eMail: bagordo@jpk.com 
Web: www.jpk.com 

© BIOCOMMUNICATIONS.net GmbH, Brunnenstr. 128, D- 13355 Berlin, Germany - Reprint free of charge, please supply copy