HAMPTON, N.H.–On behalf of its Biosciences group, Fisher Scientific International Inc. has launched a five-year collaboration with the University of Michigan to develop new tools for genomic and proteomic research.

The collaboration promotes opportunities for Fisher to combine its expertise with research at the Center for Chemical Genomics (CCG) within the University of Michigan’s Life Sciences Institute (LSI). Fisher will provide financial support for select research projects at the university and will have the opportunity to license new technologies resulting from that research. The program is designed to foster the discovery of novel technologies in the areas of high-throughput screening and detection, protein expression, chemical diversity and bioinformatics. Fisher is targeting the development of new procedures for protein testing and sample preparation, innovative ways of using RNA-interference products, broader applications of high-content screening and other advancements.

“These technologies will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of disease research and drug discovery and ultimately speed the development of new diagnostics and therapies,” said Leland Foster, chief executive officer of Fisher Biosciences. “We are excited to be working with one of the world’s leading research institutions. This collaboration enables our own team of world-class scientists to work in conjunction with the faculty and resources of the University of Michigan’s Life Sciences Institute.”

Fisher Biosciences specializes in tools, applications and systems for life-science research and drug discovery. Capabilities in the area of genomics and proteomics include innovative technologies for protein chemistry, gene silencing, cellular imaging, and cell culture. Through its Maybridge unit, Fisher Biosciences also develops novel drug-like molecules and compounds for screening in drug discovery and development.

The newly opened CCG is a key center for collaboration in the Life Sciences Institute at the University of Michigan. It uses high-throughput chemical-screening technology and the robust knowledge base from drug discovery to explore broad aspects of biological space. The targets that the CCG explores exist at every level within the organism — including biological, chemical and structural approaches — with and without particular disease targets in mind.

“This exciting program will foster innovative approaches using chemical inhibitors or activators to dissect the biological function of genes and gene products,” said David H. Sherman, Director, LSI Center for Chemical Genomics. “The opportunity to forge close ties with Fisher Scientific and its specialty technology units promises to be highly productive and complementary.”

About Fisher Biosciences

Fisher Biosciences, a unit of Fisher Scientific International Inc. (NYSE: FSH), manufactures and supplies a wide range of products and services across the general-chemistry and life-sciences arenas. From fine and high-purity chemicals, clinical diagnostics, proprietary protein-research and cell-culture products, and sterile-liquid-handling systems, to innovative RNA-interference technology, Fisher Biosciences serves scientific-research, healthcare, drug-discovery, and general-industrial customers around the world.

About the Center for Chemical Genomics

The CCG “collaboratory” at LSI uses robotic techniques to catalogue interactions between biological components and libraries of chemicals. The CCG will afford scientists from different backgrounds across U-M the opportunity to take part in solving problems through utilizing the shared tools and resources of this core facility and access to data generated by the CCG community.

About the Life Sciences Institute of the University of Michigan

The Life Sciences Institute serves as a hub for collaboration among outstanding scientists from a variety of life-science disciplines focusing on the biological problems of human health. The Institute harnesses the strength and tradition of academic excellence at the University of Michigan by forging links between the health sciences, basic sciences, engineering, the social sciences and the humanities.

Contacts

Fisher Biosciences

Nancy Lillie, 720-890-5103

[email protected]

University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute

Robin Stephenson, 734-615-9390

[email protected]