Press Releases

Cell Signaling Technology, Inc. and LI-COR Biosciences, Inc. enter into Joint Marketing and Assay Validation Agreement

Beverly, MA and Lincoln, NE - June 1st, 2004 - Cell Signaling Technology, Inc. (CST) and LI-COR Biosciences (LI-COR), announce the signing of a joint marketing and assay validation agreement. Under this agreement LI-COR and CST will validate In-Cell Western (ICW) cellular imaging assays on LI-COR's Odyssey® Infrared Imaging System employing CST's antibody reagents. This includes phospho-specific antibodies to key signaling molecules, such as kinases and apoptosis regulators, which are important therapeutic targets for pharmaceutical drug discovery. Kinases are the primary mediators of signaling, modulating nearly every cellular process by phosphorylating protein substrates to regulate their function. LI-COR's ICW Assay System combined with CST's high affinity phospho-specific antibodies will enable robust and high throughput assays of kinase and signaling activation and inhibition. Such assays are central to kinase drug discovery programs for indications including oncology, inflammation, metabolic, cardiovascular and neurologic diseases.

“We are pleased to work with CST to develop a set of validated ICW assays for several major therapeutically-relevant signaling pathway proteins that will allow our customers to assess the extent of phosphorylation of these proteins in the cell,” says Harry Osterman, LI-COR's Director of Technology Development. “The keys to this assay are high quality CST antibodies and our IRDye 800CW label, a near infrared fluorescent dye that was specifically developed for cellular applications. Additionally, since most compounds in chemical libraries are not fluorescent in the near infrared, the ICW assay should offer significant advantages in drug development.”

Cell Signaling Technology, Inc. (www.cellsignal.com) has expertise and the market leadership position in the development and commercialization of phospho-specific antibodies for kinase and pathway activation measurement. CST's phospho-specific antibodies are validated on a range of cellular and biochemical assay platforms and are critical reagents used in basic biomedical research, pharmaceutical drug discovery, and clinical pathology.

LI-COR Biosciences (www.licor.com) is a leader in the design and manufacture of instrument systems for biotechnology, plant biology and environmental research. The company pioneered the development of infrared fluorescence labeling and detection systems for proteomics, DNA sequencing, microsatellites and AFLP® research. LI-COR instruments for photosynthesis, carbon dioxide analysis and light measurement are recognized worldwide for standard-setting innovation in plant science research and environmental monitoring. Founded in 1971, the privately held company is based in Lincoln, Nebraska, with subsidiaries in Germany and the United Kingdom. LI-COR systems are used in over 100 countries and are supported by a global network of distributors.

For more information, contact:

Christopher Bunker, Ph.D.
Cell Signaling Technology, Inc.
Director of Business Development
phone: (978) 867-2307
e-mail: cbunker@cellsignal.com

Harry Osterman
LI-COR
Director, Technology Development
phone: (402) 467-0700
e-mail: hosterman@licor.com