PerkinElmer Acquires Proteomics Labeling Technology of Agilix

PerkinElmer, Inc. has announced the acquisition of Agilix Corporation's proprietary proteomics technology.

Agilix has developed a labeling technology using isobaric mass tags that allows for the simultaneous quantification of molecules, such as proteins, from multiple samples.

This technology now brings quantitative proteomics to PerkinElmer customers in drug discovery and proteomics research.

Furthermore, the technology is designed to provide a technique for enhancing the utility of mass spectrometry, a preferred method for proteomic analysis.

Agilix claims that, this technology is a superior approach for determining the relative expression level of individual proteins from multiple samples with a high degree of precision.

Samples are tagged and mixed early in sample processing workflow, enabling simultaneous sample analysis and eliminating errors caused by spurious variation seen in currently practiced serial processing workflows.

This mass spectrometry-based approach is designed to allow unambiguous detection and identification of proteins without the use of analyte-specific reagents.

"The Agilix multiplex protein labeling technology represents a breakthrough in quantitative proteomics," said Neil Cook, chief scientific officer, PerkinElmer Life and Analytical Sciences.

"This leading-edge technology reduces the process workflow in proteomics analysis, and enables more accurate studies in protein expression kinetics and pharmacodynamics."

This technology was first pioneered by Rockefeller University Professor Brian Chait, who said, "The ability to determine changes in the levels of proteins as a function of time and circumstance is vital to gaining an understanding of complex biological systems."

"PerkinElmer will use the intellectual property acquired from Agilix to develop a number of new technologies that will bring quantitative proteomics to a wider range of customers in drug discovery," added Robert F. Friel, president, PerkinElmer Life and Analytical Sciences.

The acquisition of this isobaric mass tag technology complements the launch of PerkinElmer's BioXPRESSIONS™ platform and the recent announcement of a licensing agreement for the multiplexing bead-based technology from Luminex^®.