RayBiotech, Inc. and the University of Oslo Enter into Antibody Array Services Collaboration

NORCROSS, Ga., June 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- RayBiotech, Inc. and the combined genotyping core facility for Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, located at the Institute for Cancer Research, announced the execution of an agreement to collaborate for the implementation of antibody-based sample analysis services.  Under the terms of the agreement, the combined core facility will provide a comprehensive service utilizing RayBiotech's proprietary antibody arrays for the high-throughput detection and analysis of protein biomarkers in biological samples.  The service program will target academic and industrial research clients having a need for fully quantifiable biomarker analysis.

RayBiotech's Quantibody^® array platform, which delivers high throughput quantitative expression profiles, will be a key component of the core facility's service program. Potential biomarkers will include cytokines, growth factors, and other secreted factors related to cancer and other complex diseases.  The service will be applicable to both human specimens and animal models such as mice, rats, pigs, and primates.

RayBiotech will work closely with the Institute for Cancer Research, the Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo to provide all the necessary products, technical expertise, and marketing and sales support needed to implement the services program.   Financial terms were not disclosed. 

Commenting on the collaboration, RayBiotech's President, COO and Co-founder, Rani Huang, said, "We are delighted that the Institute for Cancer Research, Norwegian Radium Hospital has partnered with RayBiotech to implement antibody array testing services.  We've had a long-standing relationship with the University of Oslo and are pleased to initiate this collaboration with such a world-renowned research institution.  It is our expectation that these antibody array testing services will help researchers to identify new molecular and biochemical pathways and promote drug discovery as well as drug target validation."

Professor Eivind Hovig, head of the genotyping core facility, and head of the bioinformatics core facility, stated, "We have come to recognize that the antibody array products provided by RayBiotech provide excellent possibilities for biomarker screening, and we see that the quality and breadth of the products are valuable additions to ongoing research at our institutions. We are currently undertaking large studies involving several groups across a number of research disciplines based on RayBiotech array products. We are very happy with this partnership, as we foresee increased usage of these very useful products in the near future."

About RayBiotech, Inc.

RayBiotech (www.raybiotech.com) pioneered the development of antibody and protein array technologies and provides reliable high-throughput platforms for identifying disease mechanisms, screening and validation of novel biomarkers and identification of new drug targets.  In 2001, RayBiotech introduced the first commercially available cytokine antibody array. Since then, RayBiotech array products have been featured in hundreds of publications, including some in top-tier journals: Nature, Nature Medicine, Cell, Lancet, PNAS (USA), and many others. Offering more antibody array choices than any of its competitors, RayBiotech has established a leading reputation for the high quality and innovative developments provided to the research community. RayBiotech continues to lead in the development of protein array technologies and is focused on further meeting the needs of clients in translating new knowledge of human biology to improved health. A spin-off from Emory University's School of Medicine, RayBiotech is privately owned, with headquarters in metropolitan Atlanta (Norcross, GA).

About the Institute for Cancer Research at Oslo University Hospital, and the University of Oslo:

The Institute for Cancer Research has since its foundation in 1954 played a central role within the field of cancer research both in Norway and internationally. The Institute has seven research departments and more than 320 employees, master students included. About 70% of the employees and projects are externally funded.  The Institute has internationally strong research groups within biochemistry, cell and tumor biology, genetics, radiation biology, immunology and cancer prevention. For more than 30 years there has been a close interaction between researchers at the Institute and cancer surgeons, oncologists and pathologists. This emphasis on translational science has resulted in numerous clinical protocols based on in-house research, and the Institute is a key partner in the Comprehensive Cancer Center, organizationally under the Division of Surgery and Cancer Treatment at Oslo University Hospital.

Oslo University Hospital is Norway's largest hospital. Biomedical research at the hospital is closely interlinked with research undertaken at the University of Oslo. More than 50% of all biomedical research in Norway is published by scientists affiliated with the hospital. Research undertaken cover basic, translational, and clinical research.

The University of Oslo is a leading European university and Norway's largest university.

For More Information:

Rob Burgess, PhD
Director, Business Development
RayBiotech, Inc.
Phone: 770-729-2992
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE RayBiotech, Inc.