Molecular Devices Introduces Fatty Acid Uptake Assay to Target Metabolic Diseases

Molecular Devices Introduces Fatty Acid Uptake Assay to Target
Metabolic Diseases 


SUNNYVALE, Calif., Jan. 11  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Molecular Devices
Corporation (NASDAQ:MDCC) today announced the launch of its QBT(TM) Fatty Acid
Uptake Assay Kit, the first assay kit that addresses the need for a
single-step, homogenous in vitro assay for fatty acid uptake for use in high-
throughput screening and metabolic disease research.

Defects in fatty acid metabolism have been linked to several pathological
states, including insulin desensitization, Type 2 diabetes, obesity and
cardiovascular disease. The development of fatty acid uptake regulators as
potential drugs is dependent upon having a rapid assay that can be used in
high-throughput screening.  Conventional assays using radioisotopes are
expensive and time-consuming and have limited the ability of drug researchers
to identify potential new drugs via high-throughput screening. The QBT Fatty
Acid Uptake Assay removes these limitations by providing a rapid, reproducible,
inexpensive method for laboratory screening.

Susan Williams-Clark, Director of Marketing at Molecular Devices stated,
"Working together with researchers at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation's
Research Division, we have applied our proprietary quench technology to develop
the first single-step homogenous assay for fatty acid uptake. Since this assay
uses a fluorescence-based readout rather than a radioactivity-based one, it
eliminates the safety risks associated with conventional radiolabel assays, in
addition to being faster and easier to perform."

Williams-Clark continued, "Prior to the development of this assay, it was
extremely difficult for drug discovery researchers to study fatty acid uptake
processes and identify new regulators. We believe that the QBT Fatty Acid
Uptake Assay Kit will enable high-throughput screening of these drug targets
and enhance fatty acid metabolism research."

Similar to Molecular Devices' FLIPR Assay Kits, the QBT Fatty Acid Uptake Assay
eliminates the need for cell washing steps, resulting in a faster, more
streamlined route to drug discovery.

Molecular Devices Corporation is a leading supplier of high-performance
bioanalytical measurement systems that accelerate and improve drug discovery
and other life sciences research.  The Company's systems and consumables enable
pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to leverage advances in genomics,
proteomics and combinatorial chemistry by facilitating the high- throughput and
cost-effective identification and evaluation of drug candidates.  The Company's
solutions are based on its advanced core technologies that integrate its
expertise in engineering, molecular and cell biology and chemistry.  Molecular
Devices enables its customers to improve research productivity and
effectiveness, which ultimately accelerates the complex process of discovering
and developing new drugs.

This press release contains "forward-looking" statements, including statements
related to the prospects for or potential customer use of the QBT(TM) Fatty
Acid Uptake Assay Kit. Any statements contained in this press release that are
not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking
statements. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects,"
"will," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward- looking
statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause the
results of Molecular Devices Corporation to differ materially from those
indicated by these forward-looking statements, including, among others, risks
related to the development of new products and other risks detailed from time
to time in the Company's SEC reports, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2003, as amended, and its Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004.  Molecular Devices
Corporation does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking
statements. 

DATASOURCE: Molecular Devices Corporation



CONTACT:  Tim Harkness of Molecular Devices Corporation, [phone]



Web site:  http://www.moleculardevices.com/ 

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