Cisbio Bioassays, global developer of products, technologies and services used for assay development and drug screening and for in vitro diagnostics, has signed a global distribution agreement with BellBrook Labs, provider of high throughput screening tools, for BellBrook Labs’ Transcreener EPIGEN Methyltransferase assay.

Under the terms of the agreement, Cisbio Bioassays will offer this universal, fluorescence polarization-based tool for drug discovery studies in the growing field of epigenetics to pharmaceutical and biotechnology researchers in Europe, the United States and Asia through its network of sales teams.

Transcreener EPIGEN Methyltransferase is a universal detection method based on Transcreener AMP/GMP assay technology, a proprietary technology platform developed and patented by BellBrook Labs. The assay involves coupling enzymes that detect the product of methyltransferase reactions, crucial targets in epigenetic studies. Its homogeneous format enables detection at low substrate concentrations and offers researchers the sensitivity needed to detect enzyme function, as well as the technical aspects required for their industrial high throughput screening. In particular, the assay avoids difficulties in detecting specifically methylated products that are generated by methyltransferases and can be used with any kind of substrate, including complex and multi-protein.

“Cisbio Bioassays is committed to building a portfolio of specific tools for the study of epigenetic targets and, following the launch of our epigenetics toolbox in September 2012, BellBrook’s Transcreener EPIGEN Methyltransferase responds to industry requests for universal assays in this important field,” said François Degorce, director strategic marketing and corporate communication, Cisbio Bioassays. “By embarking on customer-oriented partnerships such as this and through our global distribution infrastructure, we can facilitate access to a more complete offering of assays and reagents for drug screening in epigenetics that help advance research in human health.”

“At BellBrook, our mission is to develop technologies for researchers that accelerate their drug discovery efforts, and we can maximize their impact by leveraging select distribution partners in addition to our direct sales channel. We are excited to partner with Cisbio Bioassays in order to make our Transcreener EPIGEN technology available to a greater number of researchers involved in such a vital field of study,” added Bob Lowery, CEO of BellBrook Labs.

This distribution agreement marks the second collaboration between Cisbio Bioassays and BellBrook Labs. In January 2008, Cisbio Bioassays launched HTRF Transcreener ADP, a universal and flexible assay for the highthroughput screening and profiling of kinases based on proprietary technologies from both companies.