Press Releases
Molecular Sensing, Inc. Enters into Agreement with Merck KGaA for Access to Novel Molecular Interaction Technology
Montara, California, June 9, 2008 - Molecular Sensing, Inc. (MSI) today announced that it has entered into an extensive Life Science Early Access Program (LEAP) agreement with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, acting on behalf of its division for innovative prescription pharmaceuticals, Merck Serono, to evaluate proprietary MSI Back-Scattering Interferometry (BSI) technology. The cooperation will evaluate BSI technology and MSI instrumentation related to drug discovery, development, and research applications. Financial details were not disclosed.
As reported by Bornhop, et al., in Science (September 2007), BSI technology uniquely enables homogeneous assays of molecular interactions at zeptomole sensitivity. Measurements are made in solution to determine affinity constants between associating molecules, free of coupling to spectroscopic labels or tethering to a chip surface.
BSI validated assays include protein binding to metal ions, drugs, peptides, or other proteins, antigen-antibody association, and DNA-protein or DNA-DNA binding, in serum, cell lysates, and cell free media with microliter sample volume and picomolar sensitivity.
"BSI is a breakthrough in molecular interaction assay technology," said Scot Weinberger, MSI's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are pleased to work with Merck Serono, a leader in pharmaceuticals comprising biologics and drugs, to investigate the potential benefits that BSI technology and MSI products can bring to their pharmaceutical discovery, research, and development programs."
About Molecular Sensing
Molecular Sensing, Inc. is an early stage biotechnology company, located in the San Francisco Bay area, dedicated to the creation of molecular interaction instrumentation and applications that enable homogeneous in vitro biochemical and cell-based assays, that are label-free and tether-free, using kinetic and end-point analysis. Its initial market focus is in academic, government, diagnostic and pharmaceutical laboratories.
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/or translational research, clinical diagnostics, and pharmaceutical R&D. LEAP collaborations are intended to help MSI develop and validate enabling applications as well as to advance the development of its instrumentation.
Molecular Sensing, Inc. Contacts:
LEAP Partnerships: 650-728-8110,
Investors: Scot Weinberger, 650-728-8111,