MDCC Molecular Devices (MM)

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Feb. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Molecular Devices Corporation (NASDAQ:MDCC), a leader in innovative solutions for drug discovery and life sciences research, today announced the launch of its IMAP(R) Time Resolved Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (TR-FRET) homogeneous detection system for its proprietary IMAP platform. This system further expands the versatility of IMAP by offering both Fluorescence Polarization (FP) and TR-FRET detection, allowing researchers to select between two well-known detection methods without changing technologies. IMAP TR-FRET provides advantages over existing products as it is antibody independent and stable for greater than 24 hours. With no antibodies, the tedious search for a compatible antibody is eliminated and accelerates the assay development process. Signal stability that is greater than 24 hours allows customers to more efficiently schedule their screens versus alternative TR-FRET detection methods that require more rigorous scheduling of screens. Furthermore, it also provides additional benefits to IMAP FP by allowing greater substrate choice that enables researchers to work with larger substrates such as proteins. It also provides greater sensitivity, which reduces the amount of enzyme required and ultimately lowers the overall cost to the assay. Susan Clark, Director of Reagents Marketing at Molecular Devices stated, "The IMAP platform is quickly becoming the preferred assay to screen kinase activity as it is applicable to all regions of the human kinome. The IMAP platform enables our customers to more efficiently develop assays for uncommon and proprietary enzymes with a homogeneous, antibody independent system." Clark continued, "With the IMAP Platform binding systems, Substrate Finder Plates, validated substrates, and the FP and TR-FRET detection modes, transitions from assay development, screening and hit evaluation can be accelerated for virtually any kinase with precision and reproducibility." Kinases are implicated in many diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders. It is estimated that kinase malfunction contributes to more than 400 diseases and that greater than 20% of the drug discovery efforts are focused on protein kinase inhibitors. Researchers require technologies that will enable them to rapidly develop assays that provide data for these potentially important kinase inhibitors. Molecular Devices Corporation is a leading supplier of high-performance bioanalytical measurement systems that accelerate and improve drug discovery and other life sciences research. The Company's systems and consumables enable pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to leverage advances in genomics, proteomics and parallel chemistry to facilitate the high-throughput and cost-effective identification and evaluation of drug candidates. The Company's solutions are based on its advanced core technologies that integrate its expertise in engineering, molecular and cell biology and chemistry. Molecular Devices enables its customers to improve research productivity and effectiveness, which ultimately accelerates the complex process of discovering and developing new drugs. This press release contains "forward-looking" statements, including statements related to the prospects for or potential customer use of IMAP TR- FRET system. Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "will," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause the results of Molecular Devices Corporation to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements, including, among others, risks related to the development of new products and commercial acceptance, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005. Molecular Devices Corporation does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements. First Call Analyst: FCMN Contact: mariah_salvi@moldev.com DATASOURCE: Molecular Devices Corporation CONTACT: Tim Harkness of Molecular Devices Corporation, +1-408-747-3533 Web site: http://www.moleculardevices.com/

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