Corporate | 19 September 2003 11:15

Evotec OAI AG english

Max Planck, Evotec, Definiens: New gold standard in RNAi + cell-based screening Corporate-news announcement sent by DGAP. The sender is solely responsible for the contents of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– The Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG), an internationally top-ranked research institute addressing fundamental questions in molecular cell biology, Evotec Technologies GmbH, a supplier of innovative technologies for life sciences, together with Definiens AG, a leading provider of software solutions for automated pattern recognition in biomedical images and scientific text, are to partner to establish a new gold standard in high throughput RNAi and cell-based screening and image analysis. RNA interference (RNAi) is the process of sequence-specific, post- transcriptional gene silencing in animals and plants to inactivate genes in both tissue culture and adult animals for target validation in the drug discovery process. The three pillars required to establish a new gold standard in high throughput RNAi and cell-based screening and image analysis are the assays, the high throughput microscopy technology platform and automated pattern recognition and image analysis. Recognised leaders in each of these three areas have combined their respective expertise in order to provide enhanced solutions and establish new standards. MPI-CBG will provide the assays, the location and laboratory facilities as well as the biology or pathology that will be the subject of the study. The MPI-CBG has established the world-leading position in the application of technologies for genome-wide analysis to elucidate fundamental mechanisms in biology and disease. MPI-CBG was first to publish a genome-scale analysis using RNAi in the model organism C. elegans and has recently extended the application of RNAi for genome-scale analysis in human cells. MPI-CBG has developed a broad portfolio of assays that closely mirror or simulate key mechanisms in biology and disease. These complex assays, also referred to as high content assays, require sophisticated means of collecting and analysing data. The preferred method of data acquisition is by fluorescence microscopy. In order to monitor and read the large number of parameters for each assay to extract the richest dataset, image analysis is required in parallel. To this end MPI-CBG will take advantage of Evotec Technologies’ most powerful screening platform utilising confocal optics for cell-based or plate-reader-based fluorescent assays, Opera, and object- oriented image analysis through Definiens’ Cognition Network Technology. Definiens’ analysis solution has now been extended and refined in the Cellenger software application to allow object-oriented image analysis and data extraction from biological images. The companies will further work together to translate the projects into industry-relevant applications and solutions to help life sciences companies accelerate their R&D activities. “As a part of the Saxon biotech offensive ‘biosaxony’ we strongly support application-oriented research. The cooperation of research institutions with the industry is especially decisive when it comes to establishing a competitive biotechnology in Saxony. That’s why the state government is proud that the Dresden Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics has been able to win strong business partners – Evotec Technologies and Definiens – for a joint project,” commented Saxony’s Minister of Ecocomics and Labor, Dr Martin Gillo. “This example shows, that the research in biosaxony is first-class and that biotech support is positioned appropriately here.” “The Cellenger software application from Definiens has opened up new worlds of opportunities for performing screens utilising assays that have previously been impossible to accommodate in high throughput screens due to the lack of refined software for automated image analysis and data extraction. Combining Cellenger with the state-of-the-art automated screening microscopy platform from Evotec will revolutionise our ability to perform screens that better simulate biology or disease by the employment of complex assays. I am enormously excited at the prospect of the advances that we will be able to realise through the partnership between MPI-CBG, Evotec and Definiens,” said Professor Marino Zerial, Director of MPI-CBG. “We are excited to team with MPI-CBG to support the application of RNAi for genome-scale analysis in animal and human cells with our industry-leading software Cellenger,” said Uli Berresheim, CEO at Definiens. “Partnering with companies such as MPI and Evotec Technologies will continue to enhance Definiens’ leadership role in cell-based screening and analysis. Together, all three companies have a tradition of excellence and a proven track record in providing technology platforms that help companies to break through bottlenecks in drug screening.” “With MPI-CBG and Definiens, Evotec Technologies has found ideal solution partners to meet the challenges of genome-wide screening, one of the most demanding projects of modern high-throughput biology. RNAi high throughput screening is a perfect application to show the unmatched strength of our cell analyser Opera in the analysis of cellular events in high throughput and data quality for a potentially large number of clients as well as the success of the first implementation of Cellenger into Evotec’s Analysis Platform Libretto,” added Rolf Guenther, CSO Evotec Technologies. About the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics The MPI-CBG opened its doors in 2001 to contribute to the major advances in cell biology made possible by the recent decoding of the genomes of humans and other species. It is one of the most recent institutes formed by the world-renowned Max Planck Society, which promotes basic research in approximately 80 institutes in Germany. Fifteen Nobel Prizes since 1948 attest to the success of the research conducted at these institutes. More information about the MPI-CBG can be found at www.mpi-cbg.de. About Evotec Technologies GmbH Evotec Technologies GmbH (ET) is a subsidiary of Evotec OAI focussed on technology development and instrumentation. ET has established a powerful engine for converting customers’ needs from prototypes into industrialised applications for life sciences laboratories. The Company provides state-of-the- art automated and miniaturised processes that result in extremely high data content and quality output by seamlessly integrating hardware, software and bioware modules. ET’s current portfolio comprises its established uHTS EVOscreen system for large pharmaceutical companies and a product line of innovative bench-top instruments, consumables and reagents. These solutions are based on its broad patent portfolio, scientific excellence – from drug discovery to diagnostics – and technical know-how. ET’s particular strengths are in detection and analysis in molecular dimensions, liquid handling of minimal volumes and high-speed interpretation methods and software. Evotec Technologies employs 80 people, primarily at its main site in Hamburg, Germany. Subsidiaries are located in Düsseldorf, Germany Berlin, Germany, Tallinn, Estonia and Miami, US. About Definiens AG Definiens is a leading provider of software solutions for automated pattern recognition in biomedical images and scientific documents. Based on Definiens Cognition Network Technology, a fundamental technology which models human thought, Definiens products enable the extraction of knowledge from biomedical images and scientific texts. Main applications are in drug research and other biopharmaceutical processes. Definiens customers in the field of life sciences are companies such as Academia, Altana, Aventis, Intervet, Merck, NGFN, and Novo Nordisk. Founded in 1994 by Nobel Prize Laureate Prof. Dr. Gerd Binnig, Definiens today has 40 employees and is based in Munich, Germany. For further information regarding the company and its products please visit www.definiens.com. Contact: Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics: Prof Marino Zerial, Direktor, Phone: +49/351/2101380, zerial@mpi-cbg.de Definiens AG: Andrea Müller-Beilschmidt, Public Relations, Phone: +49/89/231180- 0, pr@definiens.com Evotec OAI AG: Anne Hennecke, Investor Relations und Corporate Communications, Phone: +49/40/56081-286, anne.hennecke@evotecoai.com end of message, (c)DGAP 19.09.2003 ——————————————————————————– WKN: 566480; ISIN: DE0005664809; Index: TecDAX, NEMAX 50 Listed: Geregelter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin- Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München und Stuttgart 191115 Sep 03