ABC.L Regulatory News (ABC)

7 Aug 2007 07:01

ABCAM Plc07 August 2007 For immediate release 7 August 2007 ABCAM PLC ("Abcam" or "the Company") Distribution Agreement with Open Biosystems, Inc. Cambridge UK: Abcam plc (AIM: ABC), the rapidly growing bioscience company thatmarkets antibodies via its own online catalogue, today announces that it hasentered an agreement with Alabama-based Open Biosystems, Inc. ("Open") underwhich Open will sell Abcam's primary antibodies alongside its own libraries ofcDNA, ORF and shRNA clones. The agreement creates the world's most extensiveresource of genetic content for the analysis of gene function. Customers will use the advanced gene search tool at Open's website to query bygene symbol or accession to bring up an index of all of the matched contentavailable to study a particular gene. Matched products will be shipped togetherwithin 48 hours of order receipt. Brian Pollock, CEO of Open, said: "Traditionally researchers would have to clonetheir own genes, custom order siRNAs, and search for a separate source ofantibodies. This agreement offers the ability to eliminate all of these stepsand purchase the products together delivering a comprehensive solution forfunctional gene analysis: expressing a gene, knocking down a gene and detectingthe gene product. Abcam has proven to be one of the highest quality sources forcatalogue antibodies, and we are excited about working with them." Jonathan Milner, Abcam's Chief Executive Officer, said: "We are delighted tosign this agreement with Open Biosystems. Abcam is recognized in the marketplacefor the quality of its products and we are happy to provide Open with aselection of our products for distribution alongside its comprehensive range ofgene content analysis components. We are enthusiastic to be working alongsideOpen Biosystems and I believe this agreement will allow both companies to takethe lead in this exciting part of the market." For further information please contact: Abcam + 44 (0) 1223 696000Jonathan Milner, Chief Executive OfficerEddie Powell, Chief Financial Officerwww.abcam.com Numis Securities + 44 (0)20 7260 1000Michael MeadeJames Black Buchanan Communications + 44 (0)20 7466 5000Mark Court / Mary-Jane Johnson Notes for editors: About Abcam plc Abcam is a producer and distributor of research-grade antibodies headquarteredin Cambridge, UK, with a US office located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and aJapan office in Tokyo. Abcam was admitted to AIM in November 2005 and tradesunder the ticker symbol ABC. The Company produces and distributes its own andthird party produced antibodies to academic and commercial users throughout theworld with product information provided and ordering available through theCompany's website, www.abcam.com. The antibodies are sold under the Abcam brandname. The Company's vision is to build the largest online antibody resource inthe world while also ensuring that the antibodies are of high quality andcommercially viable. Abcam now has an online catalogue of approximately 35,000products, most of which are antibodies, from over 200 suppliers supported byup-to-date and detailed technical data sheets, which are created by the Company.The Company currently employs 130 staff in its three operating companies. About Open Biosystems Open Biosystems, Inc. is a leader in gene analysis developing, manufacturing andmarketing genomic and proteomic research tools to scientists and researchers incorporate, academic and government laboratories. These research tools provideinvestigators with high-quality genes for over-expression analysis, RNAi forgene knockdown and antibodies for interrogating gene function in relation tooncology, neuroscience and metabolic disorders. Founded in 2001, Open Biosystemsis headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama. For more information and details forordering, please visit www.openbiosystems.com. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange