Charleston Regional Development Alliance

Berkeley, Charleston & Dorchester Counties

Printed from www.crda.org

Assay Designs announces collaboration with Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)

May 5, 2008
Assay Designs Press Release
Assay Designs, Inc., a leading provider of immunoassay kits, antibodies, and reagents to the life sciences and translational research markets, announced a collaboration on a joint antibody research project with the Medical University of South Carolina and Dr. Jennifer Isaacs' laboratory. Under the terms of this agreement, Assay Designs will provide anti-Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) antibody for both cell-based and animal-based work.

This collaboration agreement will allow Dr. Isaacs to move forward with
research investigating the role of Hsp90 in the progression of many
cancers. "I am excited about the prospect of utilizing this antibody to
target the Hsp90 chaperone and to potentially curtail the metastatic
properties of some cancers. Moreover, we now have a new tool to explore the
role of cell surface localized Hsp90 protein in cancer progression. Since
this antibody is well-tolerated in animals, this approach paves the way for
a promising therapeutic strategy, " stated Dr. Isaacs.

"As the leader in heat shock proteins (HSPs) and chaperones,
collaborations such as this provide valuable insight for our new product
development efforts," stated Dan Calvo, Assay Designs' President and CEO.
"Supporting the validation of new and novel test protocols enhances the
value and flexibility of our broad HSP product portfolio."

About Assay Designs, Inc.
Based in Ann Arbor, MI, Assay Designs develops, manufactures and
markets immunoassay (ELISA) kits, antibodies, and proteins that are used
for life sciences research. The company markets these products under the
"Assay Designs" and "Stressgen" brand names. Researchers use Assay Designs
products to detect and quantify molecules that are important biomarkers of
inflammation, heat shock, cell signaling, and oxidative stress.

About Isaacs Lab
A long-term research goal of the Isaacs Lab is to better understand the
role of Hsp90 in tumor progression to ultimately optimize the use and
potency of Hsp90 inhibitors in the clinic. In particular, the lab
investigates how Hsp90 contributes to angiogenic processes and cell
migration, representing two fundamental and universal aspects of cancer
progression. Specifically, the tumor-promoting roles of Hsp90 are being
assessed in various invasive cancers, such as prostate, renal cell
carcinoma (RCC), and the deadly disease glioblastoma (GBM). Clinically
relevant orthotopic models of RCC and GBM are being used and newer forms of
Hsp90 antagonists are being evaluated. In collaboration with other groups,
there is also interest in identifying combination treatments most effective
against these cancers.
related information