PerkinElmer, Inc. today announced that it has entered into a drug discovery research collaboration with Sangmyung University based on applying PerkinElmer’s AequoScreen® aequorin assay technology to cutting-edge G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) research.
WALTHAM, Mass. & CHEONAN, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PerkinElmer, Inc., a global leader focused on the health and safety of people and the environment, today announced that it has entered into a drug discovery research collaboration with Sangmyung University (Republic of Korea), based on applying PerkinElmer’s AequoScreen® aequorin assay technology to cutting-edge G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) research.
It is estimated that GPCRs are associated with at least 30% percent of addressable diseases, and continue to be a key focus in drug discovery. Aequorin assays are a sensitive and flexible cell-based assay technology used to detect GPCR activation with several advantages over conventional fluorescence based dyes, including fewer false positives, much simpler protocol and significantly increased assay windows.
AequoScreen will be used by Sangmyung University as part of its efforts to establish an academic GPCR screening facility together with the Korea Chemical Bank, a national repository library of over 100,000 small molecule compounds. The aequorin technology will be used as part of nationwide GPCR screening campaigns and drug discovery programs in Korea.
“We are very pleased to be working with the distinguished faculty of Sangmyung University in providing our AequoScreen technology in support of their Korea-wide GPCR screening campaign implementation,” said Richard M. Eglen, Ph.D., president, Bio-discovery, PerkinElmer, Inc. “Given the wide range of potential drug targets linked to GPCR research, the University’s project presents tremendous promise in terms of advancing potential new drugs.”
According to Professor Sunghou Lee, Ph.D., of the Department of Biomedical Technology at Sangmyung University, “Screening programs have begun to increase in Korea, partly through the support of institutions such as the Center for Biological Modulators (CBM), the Frontier R&D Program for drug discovery research. For a nationwide academic screening research laboratory such as ours, the ability to reliably and accurately deploy a sensitive, flexible and easy-to-use GPCR detection platform like AequoScreen is of prime importance. This is especially true when dealing with small molecules, where conventional technologies such as fluorescence techniques tend to result in issues such as artifacts and interference that distort results.”
Professor Lee added, “We are delighted to be working with a partner of PerkinElmer’s caliber in this effort, and look forward to compelling results in our screening program.”
About PerkinElmer, Inc.
PerkinElmer, Inc. is a global leader focused on improving the health and safety of people and the environment. The Company reported revenue of almost $2 billion in 2008, has approximately 8,500 employees serving customers in more than 150 countries, and is a component of the S&P 500 Index. Additional information is available through www.perkinelmer.com or 1-877-PKI-NYSE.
