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Definiens and Cenix BioScience Enter into Licensing and
Co-Marketing Agreement in High-Content Screening.
Munich/Dresden, Germany, May 09, 2005 - Definiens, a leading
provider of advanced image analysis solutions, and Cenix BioScience, the leading
specialist in advanced RNA interference (RNAi)-based research services,
announced today that they have entered into a licensing and co-marketing
agreement. This step represents the formalization of an ongoing and strong
relationship, as the two companies have been working together for several years
now.
The two companies’ offerings are ideally complementary and the agreement will
therefore build on their inherent synergies. Cenix is providing research
services for the life science industry and academic groups, focusing on the
combination of high throughput (HT) RNAi with high content (HC) assays in human
and rodent cells. For those groups capable of carrying out such large scale
studies themselves, Definiens is providing its uniquely powerful image analysis
software system, Cellenger®, based on Definiens’ Cognition Network Technology.
As Cenix has constantly sought to further strengthen its capabilities in
microscopy-based screening and automated image analysis, its scientists have
tested a wide range of third party solutions from academia and industry efforts
alike. Its early analysis of Cellenger® software in the context of genome-scale
RNAi-based screens in human cells convinced Cenix to invest further efforts in
assisting Definiens with the development and marketing of this world-class
package.
“The combination of these technologies will be crucial to solidify Cenix’
leadership in providing the best and most efficient high content read-out
capabilities to our customers” said Christophe Echeverri, CEO/CSO of Cenix
BioScience.
Definiens, having recognized Cenix’s leading global position in the field of HT/HC-RNAi
based experimentation, has welcomed such specialized input on precisely those
cell-based applications that have now emerged a key driver for a wide range of
life science research fields.
“Through this alliance, we begin realizing the strong synergies that exist
between Definiens and Cenix in the field of high-content screening”, said Thomas
Heydler, Chief Executive Officer of Definiens. “With our leading-edge Cellenger®
HCS solution we offer a comprehensive application for automated image analysis
and our collaboration with Cenix will allow us to reach a new form of excellence
in the HCS market.”
Cenix BioScience is using Cellenger® for the development and implementation of
multi-parameter assays for HT-RNAi studies in cultured human and rodent cells
for target discovery and validation, as well as analyses of drug modes of action.
Under the terms of the agreement Cenix gets broad access to Cellenger® software,
which will be integrated into its existing HT/HC-RNAi-based research
infrastructure, enabling the widest possible range of advanced microscopy-based
assays in the context of its research service offerings.
The Definiens Cellenger® HCS solution is an advanced software system for the
powerful automated high-content analysis of cell-based assays that enable
reliable and fully automated data extraction. The Cellenger® HCS solution allows
detailed analysis of structures of interest even in complex image data and the
extracted objects are counted and morphometrically measured. Definiens will
receive product development and marketing assistance from Cenix through
beta-testing feedback, data sharing and reference site support. Commercial terms
of the worldwide, non-exclusive agreement were not disclosed.
About Cenix BioScience GmbH
Cenix BioScience GmbH is a pioneer and leader in high throughput (HT),
genome-driven applications of RNA interference (RNAi) for the discovery and
validation of new therapeutic drug targets. Founded in 1999 as the first
biotechnology company specializing exclusively in HT-RNAi, Cenix has accumulated
unparalleled depth and breadth of experience in this field, combining high
content phenotypic analyses with proprietary genome-wide RNAi libraries for use
in key experimental systems, including a wide range of human and rodent cells.
Cenix is now making its unique expertise accessible to industry and academic
researchers through highly customizable research services. Please contact Cenix
or visit the company’s web site
www.cenix-bioscience.com for more information.
About Definiens
Definiens is a leading provider of high-content image analysis solutions. Based
on Definiens Cognition Network Technology®, a fundamental technology which
models human thought, Definiens products enable the extraction of objects of
interest from biomedical images. Main applications are in drug research and
other biopharmaceutical processes. Definiens has more than 100 customers in the
field of life sciences, companies such as Altana, Aventis, Intervet, Merck,
Novartis, and Novo Nordisk as well as Academia & Research Institutions such as
NGFN and NIH. 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.
| More Information: |
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| Cenix BioScience GmbH |
Definiens AG |
| Zisi Fotev, Ph. D. |
Andrea Müller-Beilschmidt |
| Tatzberg 47 |
Tel : +49 (0)89 23 11 80-36 |
| 01307 Dresden, Germany |
Mobile : +49 (0)171 76 66 518 |
| Tel: +49 (0) 351 4173 0 |
Fax : +49 (0)89 23 11 80-90 |
| Fax: +49-(0) 351 4173-197 |
Email: pr@definiens.com |
| Email:
fotev@cenix-bioscience.com |
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