Millipore Corporation, a leading provider of technologies, tools and services for the global life science industry, announced that it has purchased the assets associated with Epitome Biosystems' EpiTag technology. The purchase price was not disclosed.

The technology acquisition will enable Millipore's Bioscience Division to expand its presence in the fast growing multiplex immunoassay market by offering scientists a broader portfolio of cell signalling assays that can be used with the Luminex xMAP platform. Additionally, the acquisition will allow for the future development of other novel profiling technologies.

"Our multiplex offering is one of our fastest growing product lines and the acquisition of the EpiTag technology will help us to accelerate our product development and expand our growth prospects in this dynamic market," said Rick Ryan, Vice President of Millipore's Drug Discovery Business Unit. "Our customers are interested in better understanding the roles that cell pathways play in major diseases such as cancer and diabetes. The EpiTag technology will allow us to develop multiplex immunoassays for cellular targets that were previously very difficult to detect and quantify. As a result, we will enable customers to leverage the power of the Luminex xMAP platform for cell signalling by providing antibodies and kits that are specific to the highest areas of interest for researchers."

The ability of scientists to leverage multiplex cell signalling assays as a research tool has historically been limited due to the lack of highly-specific antibodies for intra-cellular targets. The EpiTag technology uses a bioinformatics-driven approach to develop high quality antibodies that are more specific and selective than other reagents on the market today. Using the EpiTag technology, Millipore expects to develop a new range of multiplex immunoassay kits that will enable researchers to more efficiently measure, detect and analyze proteins and cell signalling pathways.

Millipore is one of the industry's pioneers in developing multiplex kits and reagents and is a leader in providing assays for markets such as immunology, inflammation, and metabolic diseases (diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular). The Company's Milliplex MAP assays provide scientists with the sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility they require to tackle complex research problems. Additionally, Millipore offers unparalleled technical support-scientists working with scientists-to allow researchers to spend less time running their assays and spend more time advancing their research.

Millipore is a Life Science leader providing cutting-edge technologies, tools, and services for bioscience research and biopharmaceutical manufacturing.