GE Healthcare Integrates Spotfire's Data-Analysis Software with HCS Platform
Spotfire and GE Healthcare have integrated their software products to offer a single high-content analysis product to customers, the companies said this week.
Specifically, Spotfire's DecisionSite analytics software has been integrated with GE Healthcare's IN Cell Investigator software, which accompanies the IN Cell Analyzer 1000 and 3000 high-content imaging platforms.
GE Healthcare will include a customized version of DecisionSite with IN Cell Investigator "to support the standard quality control and data analysis workflows in cell-based screening," the companies said in a statement.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Cyntellect Wins $500K Phase IIB SBIR Grant from NSF
Cyntellect said this week that it has been awarded approximately $500,000 under a Phase IIB Small Business Innovation Research grant from the National Science Foundation to support continued development of its laser-based LEAP system.
The money will be used to specifically fund further development of the LEAP-enabled LaserFect technology for high-efficiency, low-toxicity delivery of siRNA into difficult-to-transfect cells.
The NSF's Phase IIB grant program provides matching funds up to $500,000 to companies that meet the goals of the Phase II grant and are also able to secure additional investment from non-governmental sources.
Cyntellect chief business officer Jim Linton told CBA News that the Phase IIB funding was triggered as a result of the multi-million-dollar equity investment in the company taken by Sigma-Aldrich last year in exchange for the rights to commercialize a biomanufacturing product based on LEAP (see CBA News, 5/2/2005), as well as some additional undisclosed private investments.
Biocrates Raises $6.3M to Commercialize High-Content Biomarker Discovery Tech
Biocrates Life Sciences said this week that it has closed a €5 million ($6.3 million) private equity investment with MIG Funds of Germany.
The financing will enable Biocrates to commercialize its high-content metabolite analysis platform, application software, and consumable-based products.
The MIG corporations raise venture capital to invest preferentially into selected businesses in Germany and Austria.
Evotec Installs Opera HCS System at Aussie University
Evotec has installed an Opera high-content screening system at the Griffith University in Australia, the company said this week.
Evotec and Griffith said that the system has been installed at the Eskitis Institute for Cell and Molecular Therapies at Griffith's campus in Brisbane.
The institute will use the automated microscopy tool in high-content cell biology and drug discovery.
Financial details of the deal were not discussed.
Pelican Life Sciences Acquires Three Companies to Expand Product Offering
Pelican Life Sciences this week announced the acquisitions of Continental Laboratory Products, PGC Scientifics, and Kemp Biotechnologies for undisclosed sums.
Headquartered in San Diego, CLP manufactures disposable fluid-handling plastics, reagents, and instrumentation for molecular biology research. CLP has manufacturing operations in San Diego; Charlottesville, Va.; and Northampton, UK.
PGC is located in Frederick, Md., and manufactures and distributes molecular biology and "niche" scientific product consumables, Pelican said. Its wholly owned subsidiary, Labcor Products, is also included in the acquisition.
Kemp Biotechnologies, also based in Frederick, provides cell culture, protein expression, and protein purification expertise on a contract basis, Pelican said. Kemp's subsidiary GeneChoice provides molecular biology reagents and kits for scientific research.
Caliper's NovaScreen Division Signs Screening Deal with Wyeth
NovaScreen Biosciences, a Caliper Life Sciences company, will perform high-throughput screening for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, NovaScreen said this week.
Under the terms of the agreement, NovaScreen will use Caliper's LabChip 3000 microfluidic screening platform to screen 500,000 compounds against an inflammatory target.
According to NovaScreen, the LabChip 3000 technology helps eliminate false positives in the primary screen.
Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
Caliper purchased NovaScreen for approximately $30 million last October (see CBA News, 9/12/2005).