Affymetrix, Inc., a microarray technology manufacturer, and ScreenCell, a privately-held company dedicated to creating non-invasive cell isolating technology, have announced the signing of a worldwide distribution agreement for ScreenCell’s isolation devices and dilution buffers, which collect Circulating Tumor Cells in peripheral blood.

The agreement will allow Affymetrix to become the exclusive distributor of ScreenCell products used in combination with a variety of other testing equipment for clinical research, such as Affymetrix’ QuantiGene ViewRNA Assays, QuantiGene Plex Assays, and GeneChip Microarray Assays.

According to George Bers, vice present and general manager, Expression Business Unit-Panomics, Affymetrix, the agreement will lead to improved technology used in the research, treatment, and management of cancer.

“This agreement is a powerful combination of two innovative technologies, one designed to isolate rare cells of potentially significant prognostic and predictive value in cancer, and another, our QuantiGene ViewRNA ISH Cell Assays, designed to detect single RNA transcripts in single CTCs and rare cells with high specificity,” explained Mr. Bers.

ScreenCell offers innovative devices that isolate and characterize a wide range of tumor cells, including mesenchymal cells, cancer stem cells, microembolii, and non-epithelial cancer cells, that other devices often fail to detect. ScreenCell devices also allow the collected cells to be grown in culture for drug screening or further genomics analysis. However, according to David Znaty, CEO, ScreenCell, the company wanted to diversify its portfolio and create devices that are not limited to the detection of cells.
“Our goal in designing ScreenCell technologies was to create a universal system, not limited to detection of cells of non-epithelial origin and free of any bias potentially linked to the use of antibodies for cell capture,” said Mr. Znaty. “Our goal is to provide a technology to support further research for use in personalized medicine by creating a broadly accessible, non-invasive evaluation of specific, potential therapeutic targets. We are excited to work with Affymetrix not just for their commercial strength, but because we believe strongly in our combined technologies.”

ScreenCell designs and produces technology that allows for the fast and effective filtering of Rare Circulating Cells for better cellular and molecular characterization. The company offers full range of point of care devices for use with in vitro Diagnostics (IVD) assays and platforms.

Affymetrix is a global provider of genomic analysis tools and education resources for the life science research community. Affymetrix technology is used by pharmaceutical, diagnostic, and biotechnology companies worldwide, as well as academic, government, and nonprofit research institutes.

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