MDCC Molecular Devices (MM)

Molecular Devices Introduces Complete High-Content Screening Solution SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Molecular Devices Corporation (NASDAQ:MDCC) today announced the introduction of a new suite of powerful turnkey tools for High-Content Screening (HCS). This integrated series of high-content imaging solutions consists of a new, cost-effective imaging platform, ImageXpress MICRO (TM), and three new software packages, MetaXpress(TM) for image acquisition, Application Modules for automated image analysis, and AcuityXpress(TM), a powerful cellular informatics package. These products are the result of the integration of Molecular Devices' scientific knowledge and the expertise secured through its Universal Imaging and Axon Instruments acquisitions. The launch follows Molecular Devices' acquisition in March of the Transfluor(R) technology from Xsira Pharmaceuticals. The formal introduction of Transfluor and the HCS product suite is slated to coincide with the Second Annual Practical Experiences of High-Content Screening Symposium, June 16-17, 2005 in London, England. The ImageXpress MICRO is a modular, high-resolution CCD imager with upgradeable options such as laser auto-focus for rapid plate-scanning and transmitted light for bright field utility. MetaXpress, which utilizes Universal Imaging's widely used MetaMorph(R) acquisition and analysis software as a backbone, provides a uniform, simplified, and flexible hardware control and image acquisition interface for all Molecular Devices' high-content imaging systems, including the new ImageXpress MICRO and the previously commercialized ImageXpress(R) 5000A and Discovery-1(TM) systems. The eleven Application Modules are fully validated, assay-specific image analysis applications integrated with MetaXpress, enabling turnkey configuration and operation of image segmentation and analysis. Lastly, AcuityXpress provides powerful statistical and data visualization tools, including automatic determination of IC50s, EC50s and Z' values, as well as the ability to drill-down analysis data to the original images. MetaXpress, the Application Modules and AcuityXpress are seamlessly integrated with MDCStore(TM), an open API enterprise-level database for streamlined image and data management. Commenting on the launch, Dr. Michael Sjaastad, Director of Marketing for Imaging Products at Molecular Devices, stated, "We're extremely excited about the launch of our new HCS tools as we now offer a complete, cost-effective solution to customers looking to perform high-content screening. The modularity of the package allows each customer to purchase the level of capacity they need for their application, whether they're running 5,000 or 50,000 samples a day. With this introduction, we anticipate an increase in the adoption and implementation of high-content screening into drug discovery by pharmaceutical and biotech companies." In conjunction with this launch, Molecular Devices is releasing its Transfluor(R) GPCR activation assay, Transfluor general technology licenses and reagents. The collection of Transfluor reagents includes cell lines stably expressing Beta-arrestin-GFP and plasmids for constructing custom cell lines. Molecular Devices Corporation is a leading supplier of high-performance bioanalytical measurement systems that accelerate and improve drug discovery and other life sciences research. The Company's systems and consumables enable pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to leverage advances in genomics, proteomics and parallel chemistry to facilitate the high-throughput and cost-effective identification and evaluation of drug candidates. The Company's solutions are based on its advanced core technologies that integrate its expertise in engineering, molecular and cell biology and chemistry. Molecular Devices enables its customers to improve research productivity and effectiveness, which ultimately accelerates the complex process of discovering and developing new drugs. This press release contains "forward-looking" statements, including statements related to the prospects for or potential customer use of the ImageXpress MICRO (TM), MetaXpress(TM), Application Modules, and AcuityXpress(TM) products. Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "will," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause the results of Molecular Devices Corporation to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements, including, among others, risks related to the development of new products and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005. Molecular Devices Corporation does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements. DATASOURCE: Molecular Devices Corporation CONTACT: Tim Harkness of Molecular Devices Corporation, +1-408-747-3533 Web site: http://www.moleculardevices.com/

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