Thermo Finnigan, Proteome Systems Enter Into Strategic Technology and Research Partnership

SAN JOSE, Calif., and Sydney, Australia, August 21 – Thermo Finnigan, a Thermo Electron business (NYSE:TMO), and Proteome Systems have entered into a strategic partnership that combines the strengths of both companies to deliver total solutions to proteomics researchers. Under the agreement, Proteome Systems will augment its integrated proteomics technology system, ProteomIQ, by incorporating the following Thermo Finnigan products: the Surveyor liquid chromatography system; the LCQ Deca XP ion-trap mass spectrometer, the workhorse analytical instrument of proteomics; TurboSEQUEST, Thermo Finnigan's proprietary protein identification software; and chromatography columns and packings from Thermo Hypersil-Keystone. Thermo Finnigan gains access to Proteome Systems' sample preparation technology for the electrospray mass spectrometer, which includes technology for introducing protein samples from gels into mass spectrometers.

Proteome Systems will integrate the Thermo Finnigan products into its platform, which is one of the first to be comprehensive and fully integrated for proteomics. The two companies will collaborate on research projects to enable the technical and the informatics aspects of this integration. The companies plan to release jointly developed kits involving proteomics applications of the LCQ Deca XP and its integration with Proteome Systems' sample preparation and array technology.

"We see this partnership as a critical step in Thermo Finnigan's evolution from a manufacturer of proteomics hardware and software into a provider of complete solutions for proteomics researchers," said Dr. Ian Jardine, president of Thermo Finnigan. "It is exciting to be able to bring such innovation to our customers."

Dr. Keith Williams, a founder and chief executive officer of Australian-based Proteome Systems and an internationally recognized proteomics researcher, said: "Thermo Finnigan has long been a leader in liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry technologies, and we are extremely pleased to be able to integrate the company's excellent products into our ProteomIQ platform for proteomics research. The LCQ line of ion trap mass spectrometers gives us access to a type of mass spectrometry that we were lacking before."

Proteomics is the global study of the expression, interaction and modification of proteins in the body. Advances in proteomics promise to provide insights into disease and to make the discovery of new drugs faster and more systematic.

Thermo Finnigan is a leading supplier of total laboratory solutions for the analytical and life sciences industries. Product offerings include mass spectrometers, liquid chromatography equipment, gas chromatography equipment and multi-instrument combinations of these products, as well as a complete range of advanced software solutions.

Proteome Systems is a proteomics company with facilities in Sydney, Australia, and Boston, USA. With its technology partners, the company develops transforming technologies for high throughput proteomics that will be sold as a total solutions package (ProteomIQ). These technologies, integrated using a proprietary and sophisticated bioinformatics system, are implemented in the company's own discovery programs in the areas of infectious disease, cancer and aging.

Source: Thermo Finnigan