Waltham, MA - October 3, 2005 – The first fully-automated system for multiplex protein biomarker analysis during drug development, was introduced by Decision Biomarkers, Inc. (DBI) at the third annual Protein Biomarkers conference held in Philadelphia, PA, September 26 - 28.

The virtually “hands free” Avantra™Q400 Biomarker Workstation uses a simple, one-step biochip-based immunoassay platform to quantitate a panel of up to forty biomarkers simultaneously using a single sample. The system demonstrated at the conference represents DBI’s beta platform; the instrument and associated biochips are slated for commercialization in early 2006.

The Avantra™Q400 Biomarker Workstation consists of an assay processing and fluorescence imaging platform and proprietary disposable biochips that contain all the reagents required for performing multiplex biomarker assays. DBI scientists presented data during a poster session, which demonstrated the performance of the system using a 3-plex cytokine panel.

To use the Avantra™Q400 Biomarker Workstation, a researcher simply inserts a multiplex biochip, injects a sample to be tested, and starts the unit. In a single step, the biochip-based immunoassay technique simultaneously analyzes up to 40 biomarkers, delivering precise data from sample to results automatically. The biochips used by the system will be available in “off the shelf” biomarker panels. Additionally, Decision Biomarkers will offer Assay Development Services to create customized biochips for “user-defined” optimized multiplex assays. From a simple sample injection to results with no manual intervention; results are ready in approximately 30 minutes. “The time and effort saved through the total automation provided by this unique platform—particularly in combination with our low-cost, high-performance instrument—holds enormous promise for drug development today,” said Roger Dowd, President and CEO of Decision Biomarkers.

Dowd pointed out that clinical trials typically represent over half of total drug development costs. “Screening patients for specific biomarkers to determine clinical trial eligibility and/or toxicity enables researchers to make early, relevant, cost-effective decisions about new drugs and drug testing candidates. This decreases the potential for drug failure rates in late-stage clinical trials. The Avantra™Q400 Biomarker Workstation meets the needs of all phases of biomarker development, validation and application.”

Decision Biomarkers recently relocated to state-of-the art facilities in Waltham, MA, adding new staff and equipment to accommodate growth. The product development team has over sixty years’ cumulative experience successfully developing instrumentation for research and clinical diagnostics. Research at Decision Biomarkers has led to technology breakthroughs in biochip surface chemistry, immunoassay automation and detection optics—culminating in the development of the Avantra™Q400 Biomarker Workstation introduced at the Protein Biomarkers conference.

About Decision Biomarkers, Inc.
Decision Biomarkers, Inc. develops biochip-based biomarker panel assays for its Avantra™Q400 Biomarker Workstation, a fully automated multiplex immunoassay platform developed using proprietary technologies. Decision Biomarkers' system enables pharmaceutical and biotech organizations to conduct high-accuracy biomarker validation and analysis quickly and cost-effectively through all stages of drug development.

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781-890-2006, x 246
sales@decisionbiomarkers.com