SEP 22,2003 5:29 PACIFIC 8:29 EASTERN
( BW)(NJ-AMERSHAM)(AHM)(AHM.L)(ANM.N) Amersham Biosciences Launches
New ELISAs for Detecting Markers of Neurodegenerative Disease
Science Writers/Health/Medical Writers
PISCATAWAY, NJ--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 22, 2003--
Fast, Easy Biotrak Elisas Measure Proteins Found in Alzheimer's
and Parkinson's Diseases
Amersham Biosciences, the life sciences business of Amersham
(LSE:, NYSE:, OSE: AHM), now offers an extensive range of fully
validated Biotrak(TM) assay kits for markers of neurodegenerative
disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. These
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), which can detect two
different forms of beta amyloid and synuclein, are validated for a
variety of sample types, including brain tissue, serum, plasma, and
cerebrospinal fluid.
Each of the new Biotrak ELISAs--Beta Amyloid 1-40, Beta Amyloid
1-42, and Alpha Synuclein--captures and detects a specific protein in
biological samples. These proteins are key biomarkers for
neurodegenerative disease.
"With the launch of these new Biotrak assays, Amersham Biosciences
offers an extensive range of sample validated ELISAs for
neurodegenerative disease research," says Cathy Howat, Vice President
Marketing, cell analysis and screening at Amersham Biosciences. "Each
assay is fully configured and validated to save customers time and
resources. Convenient protocols allow researchers to incubate the
assays overnight."
Amersham Biosciences has developed validated, antibody-based
assays for beta amyloid 1-40, beta amyloid 1-42, and synuclein, which
are proteins that tend to accumulate to abnormal levels in
neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's
disease. These proteins may play an early and perhaps contributing
role in several common neurodegenerative disorders. The ability to
detect and measure these proteins in patient samples using the Biotrak
system may accelerate neurodegenerative disease research and help
scientists better understand these complex disorders.
Amersham Biosciences, the life sciences business of Amersham (LSE:
NYSE: OSE: AHM), is a world leader in developing and providing
integrated systems and solutions for disease research, drug
development and manufacture. Our systems are used to uncover the
function of genes and proteins, for the discovery and development of
drugs and for the manufacture of biopharmaceuticals. The customers for
Amersham Biosciences' products and technology are pharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies and research and academic institutions,
principally in North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia.
Amersham Biosciences--enabling molecular medicine
--30--RB/uk*
CONTACT: Amersham Biosciences
Helen Petts (media contact)
+44-1494-498-068
helen.petts@amersham.com
or
Evins Communications
Eric Rayvid (North America media contact)
+1-212-688-8200
eric.rayvid@evins.com
KEYWORD: NEW JERSEY
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BIOTECHNOLOGY PRODUCT
SOURCE: Amersham Biosciences
REPEATS: New York 212-752-9600 or 800-221-2462; Boston 617-236-4266 or
800-225-2030; SF 415-986-4422 or 800-227-0845; LA 310-820-9473