Analytik Jena acquires majority share in eBiochip Systems GmbH
Chip array key technology with exclusive usage rights expands bio
solutions portfolio. Initial systems already on the market.
Jena/Itzehoe, November 06, 2007 - Analytik Jena AG (Frankfurt, Prime
Standard: AJA), the leading provider of analytical measuring systems
for food inspection, environmental analysis, medicine and
biotechnology, today announced the conclusion of an agreement which
gives Analytik Jena the majority of shares in Itzehoe-based eBiochip
Systems GmbH.
eBiochip is a company which arose from the Fraunhofer Institute for
Silicon Technology in 2000, whose core area of expertise is
developing and manufacturing miniaturised analytical measuring
systems with electric biochip arrays and automatic equipment for
processing biological samples.
With retroactive effect to the start of the financial year (1 October
2007), Analytik Jena acquired 70.0% of eBiochip shares on the basis
of a cash/share deal. The two parties agreed not to disclose the
purchase price. The remaining shares continue to be held by the
founder of the company, Dr Rainer Hintsche, who will also continue to
manage eBiochip. Dr Hintsche, one of the most renowned international
scientists in this special field, has received the Philip-Morris
prize, the European Grand Prix of Innovation and the Deutsche
Zukunftspreis für Technik und Innovation (German Future Prize for
Technology and Innovation) for his developments in the field of
biochip technology.
"eBiochip uses an extremely innovative approach to electrically
readable biochips", commented Klaus Berka, Chairman of the Executive
Board of Analytik Jena. "We believe this technology to be an
interesting and competitive alternative to other systems available on
the market in the growth sector of protein analytics and molecular
diagnostics. We welcome the fact that the development of eBiochip
systems is already well advanced and that marketing can begin soon.
Of particular interest is the fact that both the technology and the
sample preparation chemistry use synergies with Analytik Jena's bio
solutions business unit".
Alternative read-out technologies for biochips tend to work with
relatively expensive optic demonstration technologies. The advantage
of electric biochips is the fact that they measure biological
detection processes on a silicon chip, as a result of which they are
not subject to mechanical influences or optical clouding.
The principle: from biological samples with a variety of proteins or
genetic material, a sought target molecule binds itself to one of
various receptor molecules on a chip array. If a sought molecule is
bound, the innovative electronics measure an electric signal which is
directly transferred to the computer. This technology does not
require procedures with light sources or optical detection. On the
basis of these nanostructured electric chips, equipped with
biological function layers in molecule thickness and integrated
microsystem technology, the first analytical devices were designed
and constructed, for which there are various possible applications.
These biochips then become "laboratories on the chip" in combination
with one-way cartridges which allow stockpiling and the use of
reaction fluids and reagents on the sensor surfaces. They allow staff
to carry out automatic on-site analyses or to make quick decisions
concerning critical biological analyses. For example, it is possible
to detect antibodies in foodstuffs, biological warfare agents or
pathogens directly and flexibly. Such eBiochip systems are already
being used as prototypes for analytical platforms in some European
laboratories. The greatest future potential is expected in the
individual application of automatic control and diagnostic devices on
site which require no specialist competence.
eBiochip, which has found excellent conditions in the Fraunhofer
Institute for Silicon Technology (ISIT), Itzehoe, for the
implementation of the planned developments and which has concluded
exclusive licence agreements for the use of certain patents with the
Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, will continue to have a presence at the
location. The existing cooperation agreement and joint R&D subsidy
projects will continue to be honoured and implemented optimally.
"The acquisition of eBiochip is a further step towards the
implementation of our strategy for completing and/or extending our
technology platform and, therefore, our biotechnological expertise"
added Klaus Berka.
R Hintsche describes his expectations as follows:
"After 35 years working in the field of biochemical analysis, I
detect here a broad development towards mobile, personalised
applications similar to the shift from large computers to PCs or from
tabletop telephones to mobiles. If we succeed in providing a suitable
technology, there are almost untouched markets here. Together with
the companies in the Analytik Jena Group, we see great potential in
the development and marketing of the products in the future. Of
particular note are the synergy potentials for our technical
solutions e.g. in microfluidics and biodetection".
About Analytik Jena:
The Analytik Jena GROUP operates at international level as a system
provider catering for virtually all requirements regarding analytical
laboratories. Analytik Jena AG is the parent company for the Group,
whose core business represents the development, production and
marketing of state-of-the-art analytical measurement systems for
optical spectroscopy and fundamental analysis for use in industry,
environmental research and medicine. In addition, various
subsidiaries and branches with their own products are incorporated in
the Analytik Jena GROUP. Thus the development of innovative
technologies and products for sample preparation and biomolecular
tests for research into life sciences, for applied test procedures
and molecular diagnostics are characteristic of this business unit.
For example, the product portfolio consists of bio-instruments such
as thermocyclers for the polyerase chain reaction (PCR), intelligent
automation technology for sample preparation and sample handling and
a range of biochemical reagent kits for the isolation and
purification of nucleic acids from or for evidence of BSE and bird
flu viruses. Furthermore, the management and analysis of all data
volumes incurred in an analytical laboratory is made possible thanks
to special software solutions. Besides the instrument business, the
Analytik Jena GROUP also offers complete implementation of investment
plans. In doing so, the construction of complete clinics and
laboratories from project planning through to handover ready for use
is offered all from one source. Independent of the services and
product range on the B2B market, the Analytik Jena GROUP offers
high-quality view finders, telescopes and light technology for
shooting, sports and outdoors activities. The most important
customers for the company, which was formed in 1990, are renowned
companies from all areas of industry as well as universities and
research institutes in over 90 countries. At present the Group
employs over 590 staff.
Additional information about Analytik Jena can be found at
www.aj-group.de and www.analytik-jena.de.
Contact:
Thomas Fritsche
Analytik Jena
Investor Relations
Konrad-Zuse-Strasse 1
07745 Jena/GERMANY
Tel.: +46 3641 77 - 92 81
Fax.: +46 3641 77 - 99 88
E-mail: t.fritsche@aj-group.de
URL: www.aj-group.de
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