Proteome Regulatory News (PRM)

Proteome Sciences and ICON Partner for the Delivery of Comprehensive Biomarker Solutions

London, 15 November, 2010: Proteome Sciences plc (AIM:PRM) a leading provider of protein biomarker discovery, validation, and assay development services, and, ICON plc, (NASDAQ:ICLR) (ISIN:IE0005711209), a global provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries, today announce the formation of a strategic alliance to provide pharmaceutical companies with an expanded biomarker solution to allow earlier assessments in the development of new medicines.

Through the alliance with Proteome's PS Biomarker Services™, ICON is able to provide a strengthened biomarker solution to include Proteome Sciences' unique integrated suite of labeling, separation and mass spectrometry technologies for protein and peptide profiling in complex biological materials.

Proteome Sciences and ICON are already engaged in their first joint project which is the development of a mass spectrometry assay for a key biomarker for an international pharmaceutical development company.

Commenting on the initiation of this project, John Allinson, VP Biomarker Lab Services, ICON Development Solutions stated: "We are extremely pleased to be entering this long-term partnership with Proteome Sciences which allows us to offer our clients access to state of the art protein and peptide profiling and rapid development of mass spectrometry assays through PS Biomarker Services™. This complements ICON's extensive portfolio of biomarker development and analysis services to help sponsors identify, implement and interpret the right biomarkers to inform their pre-clinical and clinical drug development." 

Dr. Ian Pike, Proteome Sciences' Chief Operating Officer added: "We are delighted to be partnering with the team at ICON Development Solutions to provide their clients with a complete biomarker solution, including PS Biomarker Discovery Services™ as part of wider clinical development programs. The unique power of our proprietary technology platforms to identify and validate key protein biomarkers of disease and response to treatment is clearly being recognised and used by the pharmaceutical industry.

- Ends -

Notes to Editors:

Proteome Sciences plc www.proteomics.com

Dr. Ian Pike, Chief Operating Officer Tel: +44 (0)1932 865065

ian.pike@proteomics.com 

Nominated Adviser - Singer Capital Markets Limited

Shaun Dobson/ Claes Spång Tel: +44 (0)20 3205 7500

Public Relations

IKON Associates Redleaf Communications Limited

Adrian Shaw Anna Dunkin/ Lucy Salaman

Tel: +44 (0)1483 271291 Tel: +44 (0)20 7566 6700

Mobile: +44 (0)7979 900733 Email: proteome@redleafpr.com 

Email: adrian@ikonassociates.com

About Proteome Sciences plc

Proteome Sciences is a global leader in applied proteomics and uses high sensitivity proprietary technologies for protein biomarker discovery, validation and assay development. The Company's own research has discovered a large number of novel protein biomarkers in key human diseases and is focused mainly in neurological/neurodegenerative conditions and in cancer. It has discovered and patented blood biomarkers, including Alzheimer's disease, stroke, brain damage and lung cancer for diagnostic and treatment applications. These biomarkers are available for outlicensing. The first blood test for lung cancer using Proteome Sciences' biomarkers was launched in the USA in 2009 and received Medicare reimbursement in 2010. Its PS Biomarker Services provides ISO 9001: 2008 accredited facilities in Frankfurt, Germany, using proprietary isobaric and isotopic Tandem Mass Tags® (TMT®) to discover protein biomarkers, and reference materials combined with isotope dilution mass spectrometry. Highly multiplexed assays can be developed rapidly and are suitable for screening hundreds of candidate biomarkers in validation studies. Assays for validated biomarkers can be transferred for immunoassay development. Proteome Sciences, based in Cobham, UK, has facilities in London and Frankfurt and delivers outsourced proteomics services and proprietary biomarkers to pharmaceutical, biotechnology and diagnostics companies. Visit http://www.proteomics.com.

About ICON plc

ICON plc is a global provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. The Company specialises in the strategic development, management and analysis of programmes that support clinical development - from compound selection to Phase I-IV clinical studies. ICON currently has around 7,700 employees, operating from 71 offices in 39 countries. For more information visit www.iconplc.com.

Contact Details:

Emily Brand

Corporate Communications Manager

+353-1-2912665

Emily.brand@iconplc.com