DURHAM, NC—December 1, 2008 —
CellzDirect now selling directly through Invitrogen Ltd in Europe
CellzDirect, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Invitrogen Corporation, part of Life Technologies
Corporation, announced today they have initiated shipments of hepatocytes within the European
Union from Invitrogen Ltd in Inchinnan, Scotland. Completing this portion of the integration
of CellzDirect with Invitrogen allows European customers to place orders through their local
European Invitrogen sales office for cryopreserved hepatocytes, liver subcellular fractions
and ADME services. All billing for CellzDirect’s European customers will now be handled
by Invitrogen Ltd in local currency.
CellzDirect and Invitrogen prepared for this transition by installing a new liquid nitrogen
freezer for cryopreserved hepatocytes, training Inchinnan staff on the proper handling and
shipment of cells, and adding sales and technical service personnel with extensive experience
in hepatocyte-based methods. Customers located in the European Union should use the following
new contact information for orders and inquiries related to hepatic products and ADME services:
Phone: +44 (0) 141 814 5900
Fax: +44 (0) 141 626 6954
Email: hepaticproducts@invitrogen.com
CARLSBAD, Calif., and Research Triangle Park, NC — Oct. 13, 2008 —
Invitrogen, Qualyst to Launch New Hepatocyte Screening Services and Products
Services, Products Combine CellzDirect Hepatocytes with Qualyst Patented B-CLEAR® Systerm
Carlsbad, Calif., and Research Triangle Park, NC, Oct. 13, 2008 – Invitrogen Corporation (NASDAQ:IVGN), a provider of essential life science technologies for research, production and diagnostics, and Qualyst, Inc., a leader in the development and commercialization of novel and proprietary hepatobiliary disposition and drug transport technologies, today announced the companies have entered a co-exclusive agreement to offer hepatocyte (liver cell) screening services and research products. Through Invitrogen’s wholly-owned subsidiary, CellzDirect, the company will provide in-house services and commercialized kits which combine Qualyst’s proprietary B-CLEAR® technology and CellzDirect’s industry-leading cell products. Financial details were not disclosed.
All new potential drugs require in vitro hepatocyte testing for toxicity risks. Determination
of liver disposition and possible drug transporter interactions is a critical component of
drug development. CellzDirect provides a complete line of hepatocytes, and high-quality
products and services focused primarily on drug metabolism and transport. Qualyst’s
B-CLEAR® technology is a patented system for the in vitro assessment and in vivo
prediction of hepatobiliary disposition, hepatic uptake, hepatic efflux, biliary
clearance and drug transport.
“The combination of CellzDirect’s hepatocyte expertise and technology and Qualyst’s patented
technology will create robust hepatocyte testing systems to help pharmaceutical companies
avoid costly drug development challenges and expedite the development of safe and effective
drugs,” said Rob Brainin Vice President and General Manager of CellzDirect.
“Commercialization of the B-CLEAR® technology through CellzDirect will provide researchers
with convenient access to this powerful approach, enabling them generate valuable data
related to the disposition of their drugs.”
“We have long worked with CellzDirect and are excited to expand our relationship and accelerate
the adoption of B CLEAR® across the drug discovery and development industry,” said Marc
Sedam, Chief Operating Officer of Qualyst. “Drug transporter-based research is expanding
dramatically and we believe working with CellzDirect will provide industry leadership in
this area.”
The new hepatocyte testing system will be available as a service through Invitrogen in
mid-December. The system will be available for purchase in early 2009. All B-CLEAR®
products and services continue to be available from Qualyst.
About Qualyst, Inc.
Qualyst commercializes novel and proprietary drug transport and hepatobiliary disposition
products for drug discovery and development. Qualyst’s products allow pharmaceutical and
biotechnology researchers to make faster, better decisions regarding drug candidate compounds,
saving valuable time and research dollars in the process. For additional information, please
refer to the company's web site at www.qualyst.com or call (919) 313-6500.
About Invitrogen
Invitrogen Corporation (NASDAQ:IVGN) provides products and services that support academic and government research institutions and pharmaceutical and biotech companies worldwide in their efforts to improve the human condition. The company provides essential life science technologies for disease research, drug discovery, and commercial bioproduction. Invitrogen's own research and development efforts are focused on breakthrough innovation in all major areas of biological discovery including functional genomics, proteomics, stem cells, cell therapy and cell biology -- placing Invitrogen's products in nearly every major laboratory in the world. Founded in 1987, Invitrogen is headquartered in Carlsbad, California, and conducts business in more than 70 countries around the world. The company employs approximately 4,700 scientists and other professionals and had revenues of approximately $1.3 billion in 2007. For more information, visit www.invitrogen.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements contained in this press release are considered "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and it is
Invitrogen's intent that such statements be protected by the safe harbor created thereby.
Forward looking statements include, but are not limited to; 1) Invitrogen will provide in-house
services and create robust commercialized kits for hepatocyte (liver cell) screening services
and research products; 2) the new hepatocyte testing system will be available as a service
through Invitrogen in mid-December; 3) the system will be available for purchase in early 2009.
Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to; a) pharmaceutical companies
may or may not avoid costly drug development challenges and expedite the development of safe
and effective drugs; b) commercialization of the B-CLEAR® technology through CellzDirect
may or may not provide researchers with convenient access to this powerful approach; c)
and may or may not enable researchers to generate valuable data related to the disposition
of their drugs; and the risks that the market will not accept the companies’ products and
services, or that the companies will be unsuccessful in their efforts to develop new
products and services, as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to
time in Invitrogen's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
Media Contact
Invitrogen, Revelle Bailey, Public Relations, (760) 268-7482, revelle.bailey@invitrogen.com
Qualyst, Marc Sedam, Chief Operating Officer, (919) 313-6511, info@qualyst.com
CARLSBAD, CA—(BUSINESS WIRE)—January 10, 2008 —
Invitrogen Announces Acquisition of CellzDirect
CellzDirect, a Market Leader in Hepatocyte-Based Primary Cell Products and Services
CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 10, 2008--Invitrogen Corporation (NASDAQ:IVGN), a provider of essential life
science technologies for research, production and diagnostics, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement
to purchase privately-held CellzDirect, Inc., based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, in a cash transaction for
approximately $57 million.
CellzDirect provides hepatocyte-based cell products and related services used in the testing of new drugs. Primary human
hepatocytes are the most accepted model for predicting a compound's effects on enzymatic metabolism in the liver. Such
testing, recommended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), can prevent costly failures in clinical trials. For this
reason, CellzDirect's products are mainly used by pharmaceutical and biotech companies in research and development.
Primary hepatocytes are also used in biomedical research to study liver diseases and to understand downstream implications
of cellular function.
"CellzDirect's high-value products and services will greatly complement Invitrogen's market-leading portfolio of complete
cell systems, including primary cells, media, matrices and growth factors," said Greg Lucier, Invitrogen's Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer. "The purchase of CellzDirect follows our strategy of investing in high growth areas of the market,
specifically specialty cell systems."
"CellzDirect has distinguished itself from other primary cell providers through scientific leadership, consultation with
scientific and industry leaders, and constant communication with the medical community and regulatory bodies," added Nicolas
Barthelemy, Invitrogen's Senior Vice President, Cell Systems.
CellzDirect was founded in 2001 and employs approximately 90 people at its sites in North Carolina and Austin, Texas.
Twelve month revenue for calendar year 2007 is expected to be approximately $18 million.
"Combining with Invitrogen will enhance our already strong position in the primary cell market," said Scott Edelman,
CellzDirect's Chief Executive Officer. "We expect CellzDirect's growth rates to benefit from cross-promotion and combination
with Invitrogen's technologies for cell culture, molecular biology, and fluorescent detection, and from Invitrogen's
world-class sales, marketing, and distribution capabilities."
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the first quarter. The acquisition
is expected to be EPS neutral in fiscal year 2008, becoming accretive in fiscal year 2009.
About Invitrogen Corporation
Invitrogen Corporation (NASDAQ: IVGN) provides products and services that support academic and government research institutions and pharmaceutical and biotech companies worldwide in their efforts to improve the human condition. The company provides essential life science technologies for disease research, drug discovery, and commercial bioproduction. Invitrogen's own research and development efforts are focused on breakthrough innovation in all major areas of biological discovery including functional genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics and cell biology -- placing Invitrogen's products in nearly every major laboratory in the world. Founded in 1987, Invitrogen is headquartered in Carlsbad, California, and conducts business in more than 70 countries around the world. The company employs approximately 4,700 scientists and other professionals and had revenues of more than $1.15 billion in 2006. For more information, visit www.invitrogen.com.
About CellzDirect, Inc.
CellzDirect, Inc. is a privately held bioscience company that was founded in 2001 and employees approximately 90 people at its sites in North Carolina and Austin, Texas. CellzDirect provides bio/pharmaceutical companies with quality cell products and services focused primarily on drug metabolism, drug-drug interactions and drug transporters. With CellzDirect's support, scientists are better able to conduct research that accelerates the discovery and development of safe and effective drugs. For additional information, please refer to the company's web site at www.cellzdirect.com or call 1-866-95CELLZ.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements contained in this press release are considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and it is Invitrogen's intent that such statements be protected by the safe harbor created thereby. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: 1) CellzDirect's high-value products and services will greatly complement Invitrogen's market-leading portfolio of complete cell systems, including primary cells, media, matrices and growth factors, and 2) Combining with Invitrogen will enhance CellzDirect's already strong position in the primary cell market. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the risks: a) CellzDirect's growth rates may not benefit from cross promotion and combination with Invitrogen's technologies and b) CellzDirect's acquisition may not lead to growth for Invitrogen or CellzDirect in the primary cell market as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Invitrogen's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
CONTACT: Invitrogen Corporation
Amanda Clardy, Vice President, Investor Relations
760-603-7200
amanda.clardy@invitrogen.com
or
Farnaz Khadem, Director, Corporate Communications
760-603-7245
farnaz.khadem@invitrogen.com
SOURCE: Invitrogen Corporation
