Ballerup, Denmark (March 11, 2008)
Sophion Bioscience A/S announced today an agreement with bSys (Basel, Switzerland) that allows Sophion to sell a CHO-hERG cell line fully optimized for and validated on the QPatch automated patch clamp system. The cell line was created by bSys and further developed by scientists at Sophion. These cells, marketed by Sophion as “CHO-hERG DUO” cells, are being sold to existing and new customers to maximize the quality and throughput of ion channel screening with the QPatch. By offering the CHO-hERG DUO cell line Sophion strengthen its position as a complete solution provider.
“We are extremely enthusiastic about making these optimized CHO-hERG cells available to QPatch customers,” said Morten Sunesen, Ph.D., Sophion’s Director of Customer Relations. “We hope to offer additional cell lines in the future.”
Automated patch clamp studies depend, to a great extent, on the quality of tissue culture cells used during experiments. Cells optimized for peak performance on the QPatch more readily achieve gigaohm seals and successful whole-cell recordings. Furthermore, all cells express enough ion channel protein for measurable whole cell currents, giving the maximal success rate possible.
“As a CRO, we are pleased to collaborate with Sophion to bring these optimized CHO-hERG cells to market,” noted Daniel Konrad, CEO, from bSys. “Our collaboration with Sophion has enabled bSys to enter the automated patch clamp field.”
About Sophion Bioscience A/S
Sophion Bioscience A/S was founded in July 2000, emerging from a successful research and development program at NeuroSearch. Sophion’s sole focus is to provide advanced products and integrated solutions for automated patch clamping. Sophion’s first product was the QPatch 16, an automated patch clamp system that provides high-quality patch clamp data on a truly industrial basis. The QPatch HT is a 48-channel gigaseal patch clamp system that can be applied to both voltage-gated and ligand-gated ion channels. The system includes 48 individual low-noise patch clamp amplifiers and pressure controllers. Only the QPatch has integrated cell preparation and QPlate exchange facilities enabling several hours of unattended operation. The unique microfluidic flow channel system implemented in the QPlates enables fast liquid exchange around each cell and provides the option to test multiple compounds or increasing concentrations on the same cell. For more information about QPatch and/or Sophion, please see www.sophion .com or contact Torsten Freltoft, Ph.D., CEO of Sophion Bioscience A/S: tof@sophion.dk
About bSys GmbH
bSys GmbH extended its activities to ion channel screening services in 2004.
bSys serves pharmaceutical companies to accelerate compound development, discover drug candidates and eliminate compounds with unwanted safety profiles due to interaction with ion channels early in the development process. bSys conducts high quality ion channel studies, assay setup and cell line design and provides low turnaround times.
bSys has refined the hERG assay as a preclinical predictor of impaired repolarization and applies highest quality criteria in accelerated functional ion channel testing. Preclinical hERG studies are conducted under GLP. bSys conducts screening on an extensive array of cardiac and central nervous targets and transporters. Contract services comprise the development of reliable and multiplatform-validated ion channel cell lines and transporter test systems.
For more information about bSys, please contact: Daniel Konrad, CEO of bSys GmbH: dk@bsys.ch. (see also www.bsys.ch; www.TheIonChannelCompany.com )
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