Gentel Biosciences, an acknowledged leader in protein microarray technology, has been invited to join a collaborative Clinical Research and Development consortium using novel technologies developed by the company to gain insight into major diseases of pregnancy.

Gentel will participate in the development, validation and deliver a quantitative multiplex protein assay to the Scope Study centres operating in New Zealand, Australia, the UK and the US. Scope Study researchers may use the assay to discover and measure biomarkers to predict late stage pregnancy complications like preeclampsia. Every year more than $41 billion dollars is spent on treating these late stage diseases of pregnancy.

"The Scope Consortium is delighted to be working with Gentel Biosciences to develop a customized multiplex immunoassay using their new APiX Array platform. Our goal is to develop a high performance screening test for preeclampsia. We believe this collaborative endeavour will enable successful construction of a novel predictive test for preeclampsia and bring safer pregnancies for mother and child as the foundation of lifelong health," said consortia member Robyn A North, FRACP.

Gentel will develop and validate the Quantitative Multiplex Immunoassay (QMI) using proprietary microarray technologies in its headquarters in Madison, WI. In contrast to conventional single analyte tests, Gentel's multiplex protein microarrays will measure a large panel of analytes simultaneously, thereby increasing the discovery and validation of clinically useful findings.

"Gentel is pleased and honoured to be invited to collaborate with the Scope Study researchers who will undoubtedly improve the quality of maternal and infant health worldwide. Using a quantitative multiplex assay that supports these critical research efforts is the highest value work we can do as a company," said G Randall Durnell, Gentel's executive vice president and chief operating officer.

The Scope Study (Screening for Pregnancy Endpoints) is establishing a unique, international pregnancy biobank for scientific discovery to develop tests that predict the major diseases of late-stage pregnancy. Every year 19 per cent of worldwide pregnancies are effected by late stage diseases of pregnancy.

Gentel Biosciences is the acknowledged leader in protein microarrays whose mission is to deliver new standards in discovery, medical care, and public safety to meet the demands of the rapidly growing field of multiplex proteomics research.