Molecular Devices introduces a high-speed, laser-scanning, confocal imager

Feb 7 2006

Molecular Devices Corporation today announced the introduction of ImageXpressULTRA, a high-speed, laser-scanning, confocal imager.

This system is the latest addition to its Total Imaging Solution which includes the ImageXpressMICRO imaging system, MetaXpress Software Application Modules, AcuityXpress Data Analysis software and the Transfluor Assay for GPCRs. Molecular Devices unveiled the new system at the CHI High-Content Analysis meeting, January 31, 2006 in San Francisco, California.

The ImageXpressULTRA is a high speed, point scanning confocal system. The bench-top system utilizes up to four configurable solid-state lasers. The throughput and resolution of the ImageXpressULTRA is comparable to larger, more expensive confocal commercial systems. ImageXpressULTRA is available with a robotic plate handling option for automated, high throughput image- based screening. Most importantly, the ImageXpressULTRA integrates seamlessly into the existing Molecular Devices Total Imaging Solution software suite- MetaXpress Analysis and AcuityXpress Informatics.

The ImageXpressULTRA system complements the ImageXpressMICRO wide-field CCD imager, both of which are controlled by the new MetaXpress Acquisition software and integrated into the modular image analysis and cellular Informatics software, AcuityXpress, platforms launched in June of 2005. Over 15 application modules are available for MetaXpress for turnkey analysis of common HCS assays. AcuityXpress provides powerful data mining and management tools as well as drill downs to the original high-resolution images.

"With the launch of the ImageXpressULTRA, we have completed the introduction of our total solutions for both HCA and Research imaging," commented Jan Hughes, Vice President, Worldwide Marketing at Molecular Devices. "We believe that with ImageXpressULTRA and ImageXpressMICRO, combined with MetaXpress Acquisition and Analysis, MDCStore Database, AcuityXpress Cellular Informatics and the Transfluor Assay, Molecular Devices provides the most complete turnkey solutions for our imaging customers."

The addition of a confocal scanning instrument also complements the Transfluor GPCR screening technology licensing and reagents offered by Molecular Devices. Transfluor is an image-based GPCR screening assay that has been optimized on all Molecular Devices imaging systems. In addition to the launch of the confocal instrument, Molecular Devices has announced new tiered pricing for the use of the Transfluor technology, including cost-effective research site licenses that will enable users to create and validate Transfluor cell lines with their receptors of interest.

Molecular Devices Corporation is a leading supplier of high-performance bioanalytical measurement systems that accelerate and improve drug discovery and other life sciences research. The Company's systems and consumables enable pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to leverage advances in genomics, proteomics and parallel chemistry to facilitate the high-throughput and cost-effective identification and evaluation of drug candidates. The Company's solutions are based on its advanced core technologies that integrate its expertise in engineering, molecular and cell biology and chemistry. Molecular Devices enables its customers to improve research productivity and effectiveness, which ultimately accelerates the complex process of discovering and developing new drugs.

This press release contains "forward-looking" statements, including statements related to the prospects for or potential customer use of the ImageXpressULTRA. Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "will," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause the results of Molecular Devices Corporation to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements, including, among others, risks related to the development of new products and commercial acceptance, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005. Molecular Devices Corporation does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statement s.

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