Chemicon Enters into License Agreement with RheoGene

Serologicals Corporation has announced that Chemicon International, Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiary based in Temecula, CA, and RheoGene, Inc. have signed a semi-exclusive license to use RheoGene's RheoSwitch^® System and related technologies within Chemicon's research product lines focused on specialty research markets, including Chemicon's growing stem cell biology portfolio of products.

Through this agreement, Chemicon accesses the RheoSwitch^® technology that regulates the timing and level of gene expression in all types of eucaryotic cells through the interaction of RheoGene's proprietary ecdysone-based receptors and proprietary small molecule ligands, which will be supplied under the agreement.

Chemicon will apply this technology both to generic cloning and expression reagents and to important genes involved in cell differentiation and development.

"Chemicon is looking forward to adding the RheoSwitch^® technology to our product development capabilities," said Jeffrey D. Linton, President of Chemicon.

"The new products that will be developed with this technology will greatly enhance our expanding portfolio of innovative tools for stem cell research."

"We are pleased to bring RheoSwitch^® gene regulation technology into Chemicon's research products and services business," said Thomas Tillett, RheoGene President and CEO.

"RheoSwitch^® technology will enable Chemicon to provide its customers with a broad range of proprietary cell-based gene regulation products in their specialty research markets."

"We are excited about the potential for Chemicon to add RheoSwitch^® products for regulated gene expression and directed differentiation in pleuripotent and somatic stem cells to its rapidly growing stem cell biology portfolio."