- Icoria's Paradigm Array Labs(TM) business unit continues to expand
its portfolio of complementary microarray services -
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Icoria,
Inc. (Nasdaq: ICOR), a biotechnology company, announced today that it has
signed an agreement with Rosetta Genomics, Ltd. to commercialize Rosetta
Genomics' proprietary MirChip(TM) technology. Icoria, through its business
unit, Paradigm Array Labs (PAL), will become Rosetta Genomics' exclusive
provider of MirChip(TM) microRNA detection and analysis services. This new
microRNA array service will be launched on October 26 at the American Society
of Human Genetics conference in Toronto, Canada.
MicroRNA are small molecules of ribonucleic acid (RNA) that regulate the
building of proteins by interfering with protein assembly in the cell. They
therefore represent a new class of endogenous gene regulators. Specific
microRNA gene expressions may also play important roles as diagnostic and
prognostic indicators in a range of therapeutic areas including cancer
treatment and detection.
"We are excited to be partnering with Rosetta Genomics to commercialize
this cutting edge area of microarray analysis. By providing microRNA
expression profiling services using Rosetta Genomics' proprietary MirChip
technology, we continue to grow our Paradigm Arrays Labs business by offering
our customers new ways of understanding and detecting disease," said Heiri
Gugger, PhD, President and CEO of Icoria, Inc.
"The ability to reliably measure the expression of microRNAs using
proprietary customized arrays enables us to raise the level of understanding
of mechanisms of gene regulation and disease expression," said Thomas
Colatsky, PhD, Vice President, Healthcare Research, Icoria. "Rosetta Genomics
is a valued partner, and we look forward to working even more intensely with
their scientific and business teams to commercialize this technology."
"We, at Rosetta Genomics, are extremely excited about the opportunity to
commercialize our microRNA MirChip technologies by partnering with Icoria's
business unit, Paradigm Array Labs. We believe that the interest in the new
domain of microRNA will soar and with it the demand for better tools for the
detection of these molecules. Icoria and Rosetta Genomics are well positioned
to provide the first commercial microarray for this field," said Isaac
Bentwich, MD, Rosetta Genomics Chairman and CEO.
Icoria, through its business unit Paradigm Array Labs, is an authorized
service provider for both Affymetrix and Agilent gene expression analysis
platforms. Icoria recently announced the introduction of Laser Capture
Microdissection services and the availability of GLP-compliant gene expression
profiling services.
About Icoria
Icoria (formerly Paradigm Genetics, Inc.) is a biotechnology company
applying its proprietary systems biology platform to the discovery and
development of safer, more effective drugs and agrichemicals. Icoria has
major contracts with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences,
Bayer CropScience, the Monsanto Company, Pioneer Hi-Bred International (a
subsidiary of DuPont) and L'Oreal Inc. Icoria also has a major grant from the
National Institute of Standards & Technology's Advanced Technology Program.
For more information, visit http://www.icoria.com .
About Rosetta Genomics
Rosetta Genomics Ltd. is a private genomics company, which has discovered
a large number of novel microRNA genes using a proprietary approach that
combines bioinformatics and microarrays. This discovery and the associated
technology platforms serve as the basis for the development of novel and
unique therapeutic and diagnostic agents for an immense range of diseases.
Rosetta Genomics has developed technologies related to the isolation and
identification of microRNA using DNA microarray chips, the commercialization
of which is the bases to the collaboration with Icoria. Rosetta Genomics is
located adjacent to the Weizmann Institute in Israel.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including
statements regarding the Company's expectations for using its systems biology
platform. Such forward-looking statements are based on management's current
expectations and are subject to a number of risks, factors and uncertainties
that may cause actual results, events and performance to differ materially
from those referred to in the forward-looking statements. These risks, factors
and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, Icoria's early stage of
development, history of net losses, technological and product development
uncertainties, reliance on research collaborations, uncertainty of additional
funding and ability to protect its patents and proprietary rights. Certain of
these and other risks are identified in Icoria's annual report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2003 and in its quarterly report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30, 2004, each filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. The Company does not intend to update any of the forward-
looking statements after the date of this release to conform these statements
to actual results or to changes in our expectations, except as may be required
by law.
SOURCE Icoria, Inc.
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.icoria.com
CONTACT:
Brian Ritchie or Mark Vincent of EURO RSCG
Life NRP, +1-212-845-4200
|
