Development of novel system for kinase analysis and autoradiography

The kinase analysis market is of substantial size involving both academia and pharmaceutical industry. More than 30% of all R&D spending in the pharmaceutical industry is focused on kinase analysis (Drug & Market Development Publications, 2003), especiall y in the areas of cancer, immune diseases and diabetes.The overall market for imaging equipment is expected to grow at a moderate rate, based on continuing improvement in price/performance and the introduction of new technologies that significantly improv e the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, cardiovascular disease and other medical conditions.Currently estimated at $6.1 billion, this segment is likely to reach $7.2 billion by 2007. Based opon the above observations, there a huge business opportunity i n a system for kinase array analysis and small tissue autoradiography that is superior to existing systems, and Biomolex aims at pursuing the development of its own novel and patented detection system. Preliminary studies in collaboration with Pepscan S ystems, University of Leiden, and the Norwegian Radium Hospital, have shown a huge potential for the Biomolex technology for kinase array analysis. In addition,studies together with the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and City of Hope (USA) ha ve shown very promising results within autoradiography and imaging. Biomolex will in collaboration with PepScan, DNR, the Norwegian Microarray Consortium (NMC), and the Norwegian Biotechnology Center (NBC), focus on applying the technology on kinase array analysis or high throughput phosphorylation analysis. While in collaboration with UCLA and City of Hope will focus applying the technology on autoradiography analysis and tissue imaging. In addition to the technical benefits obtainable, the new system is also particularly beneficial with respect to a cost-efficient manufacturing, adding to the credibility of the opportunity with respect to market penetration and profitabillity.