Release Is First of Several 3D Biophotonic Imaging Products in Development
That Provide Better Data to Help Improve Drug Development
ALAMEDA, Calif., May 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Xenogen Corporation
(Nasdaq: XGEN) announced today the release of an advanced 3D software analysis
package that enables researchers to better visualize, track and understand
biological processes in living animals, non-invasively and in real time. The
software is compatible with Xenogen's existing imaging systems and represents
the first release in the Company's developing platform of 3D imaging
capabilities.
Living Image(R) Software 3D Analysis Package was designed for the IVIS(R)
Imaging System 3D, Xenogen' s latest advance in imaging technology, and to be
compatible with the company's IVIS Imaging System 200 to provide more
spatially accurate and quantitative data than the current software.
Specifically, the software includes new tools that enable scientists to more
accurately locate in three dimensions and quantify the signal strength of
bioluminescent reporters, or glowing "tags" that light up targeted biological
processes, in living animals.
The software introduces a 3D analysis method called DLIT(TM) that is the
first of its kind for determining the location, size and brightness of the
bioluminescent reporters and thus, creating a more spatially accurate image.
DLIT processing takes place in two steps. First, a laser-scanned structured
light image is acquired, which the software processes to determine the surface
shape (or topography) of the animal. Second, a sequence of luminescent images
is acquired through different light filters ranging in wavelength from 560 to
660 nanometers. Since the absorption of light in tissue is dependent on its
wavelength, this spectrum or range helps spatially orient the location of the
light source. Combined with the surface topography information, the software
then analyzes and processes these images to determine the three-dimensional
location and shape of the bioluminescent reporter.
"Xenogen's new Living Image Software 3D Analysis Package is a great
addition to our portfolio because it improves upon the predictive quality of
the data through enhanced localization of the light signal produced by our
biophotonic imaging technology," said Pamela R. Contag, Ph.D., president of
Xenogen Corporation. "Using the new software, scientists can better pinpoint
the location of tumors, as well as the effect of drugs on a tumor and the
surrounding tissue."
Prior to release of this software, the location and strength of a reporter
measured in IVIS imaging systems could only be done on a flat two-dimensional
plane. With this software, Xenogen's IVIS Imaging System 200 instrument is
now capable of generating single-view 3D mouse images; full three-dimensional
reconstruction capabilities when using this software will be enabled with the
upcoming IVIS 3D multiview imaging system.
Xenogen intends to introduce the IVIS 3D imaging system later this year.
This is a completely new imaging system that will provide full three-
dimensional (tomographic) analysis of bioluminescent reporters in mice. The
new system will process multiple views and orientations taken around the mouse
to provide researchers with better spatial representations of bioluminescent
reporters such as cancer metastases and inflammatory markers. Information
from this imaging system will be fully compatible with other current imaging
modalities. Beta versions of this system have been installed at Stanford
University (Stanford, Calif.), the University of Southern California (Los
Angeles, Calif.), and the Sick Children's Hospital (Toronto, Ontario) for pre-
clinical research.
"Biophotonic imaging technology is quickly becoming the new research
standard in drug development, as illustrated though adoption by leading
biotech and pharmaceutical companies," added Dr. Contag.
Xenogen holds exclusive patent rights to the essential methods for real-
time in vivo biophotonic imaging. The company incorporates into
microorganisms, cells and living animals the bioluminescent gene that makes a
firefly glow, which it uses as a biological tag to see what's happening inside
the animal (imaged with its IVIS Imaging System).
About Xenogen Corporation
Xenogen combines systems biology and low-light optical imaging to create
powerful new biophotonic imaging technology that advances the ability of
scientists to explore genes, proteins, pathogens and tumor cells in living
animals in real time, providing predictive data that is designed to
substantially improve the success rate in drug development. Xenogen
incorporates into living animals the bioluminescent gene that makes a firefly
glow and captures the resulting light using an ultra-sensitive camera and
sophisticated software. This biophotonic imaging technology creates images
and analyzes the data generated on cellular activity, gene expression, spread
of disease or the effect of a new drug candidate. Xenogen's biophotonic
imaging technology is used by leading academics and pharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies to provide more accurate and previously unavailable
data intended to result in the ability to make more timely and cost-effective
decisions at every step in the drug development process.
Xenogen Biosciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of Xenogen, offers more
than 14 years of experience in the transgenic field, providing reliable,
genetically modified custom mouse models in short timelines. The company has
completed more than 2,000 transgenic and 600 gene targeting experiments, with
a greater than 95 percent success rate in delivering transgenic founder or
gene knockout lines to customers.
More information about Xenogen is available on the company's Web site at
http://www.xenogen.com. Xenogen(R), Living Image(R), IVIS(R) and DLIT(TM) are
registered trademarks or trademarks of Xenogen Corporation.
Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding our
imaging products and technologies and their intended uses. These forward-
looking statements are based on our current expectations, estimates and
assumptions and are subject to many risks, uncertainties and unknown future
events that could cause actual results to differ materially. Actual use and
results of imaging products and technologies may differ materially from those
set forth in this release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in our
business, including, without limitation: our ability to continue to deliver
our products on a timely basis; our ability to enforce our intellectual
property rights or operate without infringing or misappropriating the
proprietary rights of others; and other risk factors set forth in our filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For a discussion of these and
other factors that could impact the adoption and use of our imaging products
and technologies and cause them to differ materially from those in the
forward-looking statements, please refer to our recent filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent quarterly report
on Form 10-Q. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking
statements or information, which speak as of their respective dates.
Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click
appropriate link.
Pamela R. Contag, Ph.D.
http://www.profnet.com/ud_public.jsp?userid=513625
David W. Carter
http://www.profnet.com/ud_public.jsp?userid=513851
SOURCE Xenogen Corporation
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.xenogen.com
CONTACT:
Investors - William A. Albright of Xenogen
Corporation, +1-510-291-6104; or Press - Kelly McKenna of MS&L,
+1-415-364-3840, for Xenogen Corporation
|
