New Assay Panel Enables Non-Invasive Kidney Transplantation Immune Response and Tolerance Studies

CARLSBAD, Calif.–Invitrogen, part of Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:LIFE), today announced the global availability of a new biomarker tool for use in pre-clinical research into kidney function. The PlexMark™ 3 Renal Biomarker Panel Assay is a non-invasive and cost-effective research tool for performing kidney function post-transplantation studies rapidly and easily. The introduction of this research tool is expected to assist in the development of studies which may lead to more effective methods used to monitor kidney health in transplant research.

This new assay provides researchers with an alternative to invasive and expensive procedures, such as biopsies used to obtain kidney tissue samples to allow for research into kidney function, post-transplantation. The PlexMark 3 Renal Biomarker Panel Assay measures levels of cytokines, chemokines and receptor levels in urine, which enable researchers to better understand immune function and response. This may lead to the development of new, non-invasive tests to better understand and monitor kidney function and health, following transplant procedures.

The PlexMark assay uses Luminex® xMAP®, multiplexing technology for bioassay analysis, in a standard immunoassay format to offer ease-of-use, sensitivity and rapid, reproducible results. The biomarkers in the PlexMark panel assay are licensed from Renovar Inc., a pioneer in the development of new tools for assessing kidney inflammation for numerous clinical indications.

Dr. Brian D. Shames, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Division of Transplant Surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin

“Development of a non-invasive test that could help differentiate between acute renal injury, rejection, and infection would satisfy a critical unmet need in transplantation. A biomarker test that can accomplish this would be of extreme importance in pre-clinical kidney transplantation research.”

Jim Janicki, Vice President and General Manager of Life Technologies’ Transplantation Diagnostics Business

“The launch of the PlexMark assay represents the continued expansion of our pre-clinical research business. We are excited about the non-invasive and cost-effective nature of PlexMark, and anticipate that research clinicians will want to utilize this product to better understand immunosuppression as it relates to whole kidney function.”

Resources

PlexMark 3 Renal Biomarker Panel

General Information about Kidney Transplantation Challenges in the U.S.

Globally, more than 30,000 persons receive life-saving kidney transplants each year. Thereafter, transplant recipients begin trying to offset two chronic, life-threatening forces within their bodies: the intrinsic rejection mechanism triggered by the graft and the cumulative cell and tissue damage caused by immunosuppressive drugs that attempt to preserve the graft. Currently, invasive and expensive procedures, such as biopsy, are required to conclusively diagnose rejection. Kidney damage may already be advanced by the time a biopsy is performed. Providing a tool to assist researchers in the development of studies utilizing urine biomarkers and tracking therapies early in the course of rejection and understanding mechanisms to improve renal graft mortality is critical to improving care for kidney transplant patients.

About Invitrogen Products

Life Technologies’ Invitrogen brand represents the life-science industry’s most comprehensive portfolio of platform-independent, essential technologies for disease and drug research, bioproduction and diagnostics. Invitrogen products provide the broadest range of differentiated reagents, kits and bench-top devices for the dynamic research and application needs of scientists around the world. Through its Invitrogen and Applied Biosystems brand of optimized instrument systems and workflows, Life Technologies markets the most comprehensive portfolio of solutions for molecular and cell biology. Invitrogen and Applied Biosystems products are used in nearly every major laboratory in the world. For more information, please visit: https://www.invitrogen.com/everyday and www.appliedbiosystems.com.

About Life Technologies

Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:LIFE) is a global biotechnology tools company dedicated to improving the human condition. Our systems, consumables and services enable researchers to accelerate scientific exploration, driving to discoveries and developments that make life even better. Life Technologies customers do their work across the biological spectrum, working to advance personalized medicine, regenerative science, molecular diagnostics, agricultural and environmental research, and 21st century forensics. Life Technologies had sales of more than $3 billion in 2008, employs approximately 9,500 people, has a presence in more than 100 countries, and possesses a rapidly growing intellectual property estate of approximately 3,600 patents and exclusive licenses. Life Technologies was created by the combination of Invitrogen Corporation and Applied Biosystems Inc. For more information on how we are making a difference please visit our website: www.lifetechnologies.com.

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For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

Copyright 2009. Life Technologies Corporation. All rights reserved. Invitrogen and PlexMark are registered trademarks of Life Technologies or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or certain other countries.