Applied Precision Signs OEM and Distribution Agreement with Cellomics for the cellWoRx(TM) High Content
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Applied Precision, LLC, a leading provider of imaging, measurement and analysis systems for both the semiconductor and life-science industries, announced that it has signed an OEM and distribution agreement with Cellomics for the cellWoRx High Content Cell Analysis System. Cellomics, a business unit of the Fisher Biosciences group, is the creator of and market leader in High Content Screening (HCS). Applied Precision will exclusively supply the cellWoRx imaging scanner to Cellomics who will integrate the cellWoRx reader with an analysis toolbox designed specifically for use with the cellWoRx instrument.
This entire system, including the Cellomics informatics and analysis software and license to perform high content analysis, will be marketed worldwide by Cellomics as the cellWoRx High Content Cell Analysis System. Additionally, Applied Precision will be the exclusive distributor of the cellWoRx High Content Cell Analysis system for academic and biotech customers in the U.S. and Canada along with all markets in Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Cellomics will sell and market cellWoRx directly in all other regions.
According to Joe Victor, Senior Vice President of the Life Science division of Applied Precision, "Applied Precision identified a need for a partner in the high content screening and analysis market nearly a year ago. Cellomics, with its market-leading position in High Content Analysis and robust application software capability, came to the top of our list rather quickly. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with Cellomics to market and distribute the cellWoRx High Content Cell Analysis system worldwide."
The cellWoRx High Content Analysis System is an innovative 4-color automated imaging system compatible with SBS standard 96- and 384-well plate formats as well as standard 1"x 3" microscope slides. The system can analyze a full 384-well plate at 0.9 microns per pixel resolution in less than 20 minutes. For even higher throughput and volume, users have the option to use various camera binning modes.
The system is integrated with the exclusive vHCS(TM) Analysis Toolbox software developed specifically for the cellWoRx system by Cellomics. This toolbox software includes the vHCS:Scan, vHCS:View, and the Cell Analysis Tool, a general purpose BioApplication. This algorithm is a unique combination of cell identification and counting methods as well as translocation and morphological measurements that can be used for a variety of high-content assays. These three modules comprise the entire vHCS analysis package enabling high content analysis of images generated by the cellWoRx reader.
"The cellWoRx High Content Analysis system is a terrific addition to our market-leading ArrayScan and KineticScan platforms," said Dan Calvo, President of Cellomics. "Applied Precision has incorporated exceptional optics and engineering into a low-cost instrument, which when coupled with our new Cell Analysis Tool and vHCS Analysis Toolbox, provides an easy-to-use, value-priced HCA system. We intend to expand its capabilities in the future with additional software and informatics offerings."
The cellWoRx High Content Cell Analysis system can rapidly switch between up to four filter sets, imaging wavelengths from UV (EX 350nm) to near-IR (EX 750nm). To increase image contrast and minimize fluorescence background, cellWoRx employs oblique illumination technology in place of traditional epi-fluorescent illumination, while also using a white-light based CCD camera that delivers higher quantum efficiency than is possible with laser-based systems. Image quality is further improved through proprietary deconvolution software that reassigns captured light back to its point of origin, and an extended field-of-view feature which images multiple focal planes to construct maximum projection images.
To further enhance image quality and improve repeatability, a fixed optical train is employed, which allows for more precise integration of the entire imaging path than is possible with interchangeable optics. This fixed architecture delivers superior image quality compared to competing interchangeable systems operating at even higher resolutions. Moreover, it does so at significantly lower cost due to the superior manufacturability of its fixed optical pathway.
About Applied Precision, LLC: Applied Precision is a leading provider of imaging, measurement and analysis systems for both the life sciences and semiconductor industries. Headquartered just outside of Seattle, Washington with sales and service centers in both Europe and Asia, Applied Precision has received multiple awards for its innovative new products. The company has also received recognition for its financial growth and is a four-time winner of the Deloitte & Touch© Washington State Technology Fast 50 award. More information about Applied Precision is available at: www.appliedprecision.com.
About Cellomics: Cellomics, a business unit within the Fisher Biosciences group, provides complete systems for High Content Screening (HCS) and Analysis (HCA) to drug discovery and systems biology researchers. The Cellomics platform includes automated imaging instrumentation (ArrayScan® and KineticScan® HCS Readers), BioApplication image analysis software, High Content Informatics (HCi(TM)), and HitKit® HCS Reagent Kits, fully integrated to improve the quality and productivity of cell-based assays. Cellomics' proprietary platforms are in use at multiple sites within the top 15 pharmaceutical companies, as well as leading biotechnology companies and academic centers throughout the world. For more information about Cellomics-brand products and services, please visit www.cellomics.com or call 412-770-2200.
About Fisher Biosciences: Fisher Biosciences, a unit of Fisher Scientific International Inc., manufactures and supplies a wide range of products and services across the general-chemistry and life-sciences arenas. From fine and high-purity chemicals, clinical diagnostics, proprietary protein-research and cell-culture products, and sterile liquid-handling systems, to innovative RNA interference technology, Fisher Biosciences serves scientific-research, healthcare, drug discovery, and industrial customers around the world.
