Argenta Discovery & TTP LabTech Launch High Content Assay Development and Screening ServiceRoyston and Harlow (UK) 24 January 2005 - Argenta Discovery Ltd and TTP LabTech today launched a high-content assay development and screening service to the drug discovery community. Expanding Argenta's biology and cell-based assay capabilities, this service will see TTP LabTech's high content screening platform, Acumen Explorer, used in the service industry for the first time. Argenta and TTP LabTech will both actively promote this new offering to current and potential clients. The Acumen Explorer 488 and 405 are laser scanning fluorescence microplate cytometers that enable the development and execution of powerful, cell-based high content assays. The implementation of this service will enhance Argenta's comprehensive drug discovery offering and strengthen its position as a high quality provider of research services to the pharmaceutical industry. "Extending this alliance into a formal service offering means that both organisations can benefit from shared knowledge and the drug discovery community now have another option when they pursue high content screening campaigns." said Dr Jas Sanghera, Commercial Director of TTP LabTech Ltd. "This relationship reinforces our strong portfolio of technologies for the life science community. Moreover, it enhances our ability to provide a high content approach in the drug development process," added Dr Peter Lockey, Argenta's Director of Biology. "This agreement will provide rapid solutions to our clients and accelerate our internal research programmes". Notes to EditorsAbout TTP LabTech Ltd TTP LabTech provides instrumentation designed to increase efficiency, effectiveness, flexibility or overall capability in key biopharmaceutical research processes for the pharmaceutical industry. Its offers solutions for compound storage (comPOUND), low volume liquid handling (mosquito) and fluorescence detection (Acumen Explorer). The Acumen Explorer, a laser-based fluorescence microplate cytometer, is a key tool in the development and execution of cell-based high content screening assays. It can scan and analyse all SBS-format microplates, from 96 to 1536 wells, at equivalent plate read times providing high quality data output. The instrument is in active use in a number of major pharmaceutical and drug discovery companies throughout the world, including AstraZeneca, Sanofi-Aventis and Eli Lilly. TTP LabTech has extensive experience in developing novel high content assays that are applicable for screening compound libraries on the Acumen Explorer. These include protein kinase activation, cell cycle analysis and apoptosis. See also www.ttplabtech.com
Argenta Discovery was founded in August 2000 and has built a world-class reputation in drug discovery research. In October 2004 Argenta acquired the respiratory and inflammatory drug development company Etiologics Ltd. On merger the company raised £6.0 million ($11.1 million) from MVM Ltd., 3i, ABN AMRO Capital, Genavent and TTP Ventures. Argenta Discovery has leading expertise in chronic respiratory diseases including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Asthma. It is developing a number of internal proprietary programs in COPD with the goal of taking these as far as Phase IIa proof of concept before partnering. The company’s contract research division provides integrated drug discovery capabilities encompassing medicinal chemistry, computer aided drug design, biochemistry, in vitro screening and ADME to a range of leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies world wide. It leverages its industry experienced scientists to deliver rapid hit finding capabilities and to discover, convert and optimize hits and leads into potential drug candidates. In addition the company provides its pre-clinical respiratory platform to a number of leading companies engaged in respiratory research, to assess compound efficacy prior to clinical development. Argenta employs 120 people and is based in Harlow, Essex and Slough, Bucks, UK. See also www.argentadiscovery.com For further information, please contact:TTP LabTech Ltd Argenta Discovery Limited Media enquiriesAlto Marketing Limited NB PR |
Argenta Discovery Limited is a company incorporated and registered in England with registered number 3671653 whose registered office and principal place of business is at 8/9 Spire Green Centre, Flex Meadow, Harlow, CM19 5TR, United Kingdom and whose VAT registration number is GB 848 2268 02.