Geneva Proteomics buys Bruker Daltronics MS systems for proteomics 'factory'

Swiss-based Geneva Proteomics Inc. has entered into a strategic alliance agreement with Bruker Daltonics Inc. (Billerica, MA). Under terms of the agreement, Geneva Proteomics will purchase 51 mass spectrometry systems, as well as consumables and support, from Bruker Daltronics to use in its large-scale proteomics factory in Geneva. In return, Bruker Daltonics will make a strategic equity investment, in cash and in stock, in Geneva Proteomics.

Specifically, Geneva Proteomics will use 6 REFLEX III MALDI-TOF systems, including Bruker Daltonics' eight-channel sample prep robots and ultra-high sensitivity AnchorChips for high throughput protein identification assays. In addition, the company will employ 44 electrospray and nano-electrospray esquire3000 ion trap mass spectrometers for multistage mass spectrometry assays to obtain significant protein sequence coverage and post-translational modifications, and one further esquire3000 machine to characterize Geneva Proteomics' synthetic proteins.

Also as part of the alliance, the companies will collaborate on research and development in the proteomics area, and will share certain proteomics intellectual property and technology.

Bruker Daltonics designs, manufactures, and markets mass-spectrometry-based products pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, agricultural biotechnology companies, molecular diagnostics companies, academic institutions, and government agencies.

Geneva Proteomics Inc. intends to generate and commercialize proteomic and related biological and medical information to accelerate the understanding of biological processes. The company plans to obtain massive quantities of proteomic data by mass spectrometry analysis of chosen biological fluids and tissues in healthy and sick individuals, enhance the value of the information obtained through bioinformatics, and synthesize small novel proteins and peptides.

For more information, contact John Wronka of Bruker Daltonics Inc. at 978-663-3660, ext. 1213 or john.wronka@daltonics.bruker.com, or contact Cedric Loiret-Bernal of Geneva Proteomics Inc. at 847-344-2887 or cedric.loiret-bernal@geneprot.com.

Edited by Jim Pomager
Assistant Editor, Drug Discovery Online