Press Release

Genospectra Announces Novel State-Responsive Dye License

Fremont, Calif. 19 October 2004—Genospectra, Inc., developer of innovative products and technologies for Parallel Quantitative Biology (PQB), and the exclusive provider of QuantiGene® branched DNA (bDNA) gene expression analysis technology, has extended its intellectual property portfolio to include special state-responsive dyes. These dyes have been used to create novel live-cell biosensors that localize and quantify protein-protein interactions in real-time, such as sites of specific binding and phosphorylation events.

The dyes were invented by Dr. Klaus M. Hahn, professor of pharmacology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Medicine, also a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Genospectra. Dr. Hahn recently published his innovative technology in the journal Science. The article visualizes in real-time the activation of an important signaling protein Cdc42 in living cells. The new approach pioneered there enables the study of endogenous, untagged proteins in the cell. Research in Hahn’s lab also recently demonstrated that these biosensors can be used for the homogeneous detection of gp120 protein binding in HIV-infected live or fixed cells, which holds important implications for assay development in diagnostics, biodefense, and point-of-care testing for important antigens and biomolecules.

“We are excited to be collaborating with Genospectra on this project,” said Dr. Hahn. “Our technologies for the first time offer scientists a method for the sensitive visualization of endogenous protein activation or binding in live cells under physiological conditions. We are aligned with Genospectra in thinking that this approach will be critical in understanding the complex dynamics of cellular function.”

Genospectra obtained an exclusive license to the dye patent estate from The Scripps Research Institute and is engaged in continuing development efforts with Dr. Hahn. “Klaus has developed a very powerful technology that has broad implications for cell biology, drug discovery, and diagnostics,” commented Dr. Gary McMaster, Genospectra’s chief scientific officer. “We are interested in exploring partnerships to apply this unique dye technology to families of specific proteins, antibodies, antibody fragments and other assays that can benefit from real-time, kinetic measurements in living cells.”

About Genospectra

Genospectra, Inc. is a privately-held life science company developing technologies and products for Parallel Quantitative Biology (PQB). Genospectra’s PQB initiative is focused on creating novel cell-based assays and tools that enable multiplex measurements of molecular events, such as intracellular pathway analysis, in a quantitative and scalable manner. Genospectra's first product line, the QuantiGene Reagent System was launched in July 2003, and is powered by the FDA approved and proprietary branched DNA technology for gene expression analysis in cell-based assays. This novel technology is provides accurate quantitation of RNA levels without RNA purification, and is important in biomarker analysis, RNA interference, microarray validation and predictive toxicology. The company's products are targeted to research cellular pathways, to dissect molecular models of human disease, and to discover the next generation of medicines. Genospectra was founded in 2000 and is based in Fremont, California. For additional information, please visit the company’s website at www.genospectra.com