Sigma-Aldrich and Cyntellect Enter Into Exclusive Partnership for Cell Xpress(TM) Cell Line Development Service
Cyntellect, Inc., a privately-held biotechnology company, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Sigma-Aldrich (NASDAQ:SIAL) under which Cyntellect has granted Sigma-Aldrich an exclusive, worldwide license to commercialize Cyntellect's Cell Xpress service. Under terms of the agreement, Sigma-Aldrich has made a multi-million dollar equity investment in Cyntellect and will pay Cyntellect royalties and certain payments to access LEAP technology for internal use at Sigma-Aldrich. The Cell Xpress service enables biopharmaceutical companies to improve biomanufacturing productivity by enabling the accelerated, documented cloning of super-secreting production cell lines, thereby reducing production costs and reducing technical risk of manufacturing.
"Sigma-Aldrich's goal is to offer biopharmaceutical companies integrated services that will include everything from novel vector construction to media optimization," stated Carl Schrott, Sigma's SAFC/JRH Strategic Marketing Manager. "Cell Xpress will provide these customers access to state-of-the-art technology that will yield a clear competitive advantage by enabling cloning of cell lines that secrete significantly greater amounts of protein than cell lines identified by currently available techniques."
Cell Xpress is based upon Cyntellect's proprietary LEAP (Laser Enabled Analysis and Processing) platform, which enables a high-throughput process for in situ measurement of protein secretion on an individual cell basis, coupled with laser-based elimination of undesired cells. As a result, Cell Xpress directly clones super-secreting cells -- those with the highest protein secretion. The automated capabilities of LEAP also provide for further process improvements by facilitating the integration of culture media optimization with the cell cloning process, in addition to detailed documentation about the clonal and growth history of each cell line that is developed to comply with FDA requirements.
Cyntellect launched Cell Xpress in late 2004, with Protein Design Labs becoming the first announced Cell Xpress customer. In early 2005, a U.S.-based biopharmaceutical company became the Cyntellect's second announced Cell Xpress customer.
"This agreement represents Cyntellect's first global commercial partnership and we are very pleased to have joined forces with Sigma-Aldrich, a proven global life sciences leader with well-respected expertise in media development and biopharmaceutical manufacturing," stated Dr. Fred Koller, President and Chief Technical Officer. "This relationship clearly demonstrates LEAP's unique ability to offer substantial productivity gains in biopharmaceutical cell line development. We expect LEAP to offer similar value propositions across the life science market as living cells continue to become a fundamental component of basic research, drug discovery, diagnostics and manufacturing."
The Market Need: It is estimated that over 100 biopharmaceuticals are currently being sold worldwide, and it is projected that more than 350 biopharmaceuticals will be commercially available by the year 2010. With already strained biomanufacturing capacities and constrained cell line development infrastructures, biopharmaceutical companies are seeking innovative approaches to accelerate cell line development and significantly increase manufacturing productivity. Cell Xpress is specifically aimed at satisfying this unmet need.
About Cyntellect
Cyntellect, Inc. is a biotechnology company committed to revolutionizing the use of living cells in life science research and cellular therapy. The Company combines expertise in high-speed cell imaging and laser-based manipulation to develop products that enable novel cell imaging, purification, and transfection capabilities to enhance the productivity of laboratory research, recombinant protein production, high-content cellular assays, functional genomics and proteomics, and cell purification, including processing of cells for therapeutic transplantation. For additional information please visit the Company's web site at www.cyntellect.com.
About Sigma-Aldrich
Sigma-Aldrich (NASDAQ:SIAL) is a leading Life Science and High Technology company. Our biochemical and organic chemical products and kits are used in scientific and genomic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, the diagnosis of disease and as key components in pharmaceutical and other high technology manufacturing. We have customers in life science companies, university and government institutions, hospitals and in industry. Over one million scientists and technologists use our products. Sigma-Aldrich operates in 35 countries and has over 6,800 employees providing excellent service worldwide. We are committed to the success of our Customers, Employees and Shareholders through leadership in Life Science, High Technology and Service. For more information about Sigma-Aldrich, please visit our award-winning web site at http://www.sigma-aldrich.com/.