- Email: [email protected]
Pall launches protein purification kits
NEWS Also included are the consolidated results of the Ecolochem Group (acquired during February 12004), and Desalcott (Desalination Co of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd), the Ionics' joint venture in Trinidad. Ecolochem revenues for the quarter and the first half amounted to US$24.4 million and US$36.3 million respectively. Contact: Ionics Inc, 65 Grove Street, Watertown, MA 02471-9131, USA. Tel: +1 617 926 2500, Fax: +1 617 926 4304.
Pall launches protein purification kits US company Pall Corp has introduced three new protein purification kits. The Enchant life sciences kit for albumin depletion, and the two Enchant life sciences kits for immunoglobulin G (IgG) purification remove these abundant proteins from human and animalderived serum or plasma samples, providing the critical first step in isolating new drug targets, says the company. According to Pall, the demand for proteomics technologies is increasing as scientists seek complete, all-inclusive sample preparation kits to help them with their work in protein analyses and drug discovery. Albumin is the most common abundant protein that researchers must deplete in order to uncover the low abundant protein targets in serum. Designed for centrifugalbased applications, the Enchant albumin depletion kit provides an efficient, easy-to-use protocol to consistently remove this protein from both human and animal samples. The kit enables researchers to remove albumin from samples in 10 minutes using five basic steps. The kit also offers users a convenient platform without the need to handle and pipette messy slurries. The two Enchant IgG purification kits with Protein A and Protein G affinity resins provide efficient removal of IgG, one of the five major classes of antibodies found in human or animal serum samples.
Both Protein A and G are bacterial cell wall proteins that have a specificity to the IgG antibody. Using these proteins as the specific affinity ligands for purifying IgG is a natural outgrowth of Pall's research and development into affinity-based membrane technologies that remove other target proteins, including prions, the cause of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) (mad cow disease in humans) from blood. Pall predicts that the total proteomics market will be valued at US$3.3 billion in 2006. The need to improve the speed and efficiency of drug discovery is the main driving force that is shifting biomedical research from genomics to proteomics as the key technology to transform information into pharmaceutical production. It is estimated that proteomics has the potential to decrease spending per new chemical compound by approximately 30% (from an average cost of US$500 to US$750 million per compound), while also decreasing the time investment by two years (from an average of 10–12 years from discovery to market).
termination was motivated by any actions on our part. In fact, the units that we have placed with GE, including a system delivered more than two years ago, are performing well. Proton will continue its good faith effort to address and resolve this matter, but we cannot be confident of a fair and satisfactory outcome.’ Proton Energy Systems Inc designs, develops and manufactures proton exchange membrane (PEM), electrochemical products which it employs in hydrogen-generating devices and in regenerative fuel cell systems that function as power-generating and energy storage devices. The Hogen hydrogen generators produce hydrogen from electricity and water in a clean and efficient process using its proprietary PEM technology.
Contact: Pall Corp, 2200 Northern Boulevard, East Hills, NY 11548, USA. Tel: +1 516 484 5400, Fax: +1 516 484 3649, Email: [email protected].
PolyFuel finalizes further funding
GE terminates distribution agreement In the USA, General Electric Company (GE) has terminated its distribution agreement with Proton Energy Systems Inc. The manufacturer of the membrane-based Hogen on-site hydrogen generator systems, which is based in Wallingford, Connecticut, says that the company has given no reason for ending the arrangement. As reported previously, GE was appointed as a distributor of Proton's products for the electric power-generating industry. Walter Schroeder, Proton Energy Systems' President, said: ‘We are seeking an explanation of GE's rationale for terminating the agreement. We do not believe the
Contact: Proton Energy Systems Inc, 10 Technology Drive, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA. Tel: +1 203 678 2000, Fax: +1 203 949 8016, Email: [email protected].
PolyFuel Inc of Mountain View, California, USA, a developer of membrane technology for portable fuel cells, has finalized a third round of funding, bringing the total investment in the fiveyear-old start-up firm to approximately US$40 million. This round, worth US$18.4 million, was led by CDP Capital – Private Equity and includes existing investors Mayfield, Ventures West, Technology Partners, Intel Capital and Chrysalix Energy, as well as new investors Conduit Ventures Ltd, KTB Ventures, Hotung Venture Partners, Yasuda Enterprise Development, and BiNEXT, a part of the Daesung Group. PolyFuel's membrane technology is being used in pilot fuel cell development projects at OEMs and fuel cell manufacturers around the world. The proceeds from this round of financing are expected to enable the company to support its customers through their initial testmarket phases and into early stages of commercial production.
In Brief Cuno completes acquisition of WTC Industries Cuno Inc has completed its acquisition of WTC Industries Inc (see Membrane Technology July 2004). The transaction was completed following the approval by a majority of WTC's shareholders at a special meeting held at the end of July 2004. Cuno says that the acquisition of the company will broaden its product line, technology portfolio and customer base, and strengthen its position in the water filtration business. Furthermore, WTC's PentaPure water filtration business forms an good strategic fit with Cuno's Potable Water business. CHF Solutions forms advisory board US-based medical device manufacturer CHF Solutions Inc has assembled a scientific and medical advisory board comprising several internationally recognized heartfailure physicians. The board will work with the to conduct and support scientific review, clinical research, market assessment and development, and peer communications. CHF Solutions has developed the Aquadex System 100 that is described as a mechanical pump/ultrafiltration unit, which is designed to remove excess fluid from patients. In heart-failure patients excess fluid causes swollen legs and arms, fatigue, and eventually severe and lifethreatening shortness of breath. ITT Industries' revenues rise Compared with the equivalent period of 2003, revenues for the second quarter of 2004 rose by 15% to US$1.65 billion at US company ITT Industries Inc, helped by increases in revenue across all of its business segments, acquisitions and the positive impact of foreign currency translation. Fluid Technology revenues totalled US$650.9 million, up US$80.3 million, compared with the second quarter of 2003, driven by water/wastewater and the industrial pump group, and recent acquisitions. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, including the net benefit of special items, amounted to US$1.18, up 11% from the EPS reported for the second quarter of 2003.
3 Membrane Technology September 2004
Pall launches protein purification kits US company Pall Corp has introduced three new protein purification kits. The Enchant life sciences kit for albumin depletion, and the two Enchant life sciences kits for immunoglobulin G (IgG) purification remove these abundant proteins from human and animalderived serum or plasma samples, providing the critical first step in isolating new drug targets, says the company. According to Pall, the demand for proteomics technologies is increasing as scientists seek complete, all-inclusive sample preparation kits to help them with their work in protein analyses and drug discovery. Albumin is the most common abundant protein that researchers must deplete in order to uncover the low abundant protein targets in serum. Designed for centrifugalbased applications, the Enchant albumin depletion kit provides an efficient, easy-to-use protocol to consistently remove this protein from both human and animal samples. The kit enables researchers to remove albumin from samples in 10 minutes using five basic steps. The kit also offers users a convenient platform without the need to handle and pipette messy slurries. The two Enchant IgG purification kits with Protein A and Protein G affinity resins provide efficient removal of IgG, one of the five major classes of antibodies found in human or animal serum samples.
Both Protein A and G are bacterial cell wall proteins that have a specificity to the IgG antibody. Using these proteins as the specific affinity ligands for purifying IgG is a natural outgrowth of Pall's research and development into affinity-based membrane technologies that remove other target proteins, including prions, the cause of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) (mad cow disease in humans) from blood. Pall predicts that the total proteomics market will be valued at US$3.3 billion in 2006. The need to improve the speed and efficiency of drug discovery is the main driving force that is shifting biomedical research from genomics to proteomics as the key technology to transform information into pharmaceutical production. It is estimated that proteomics has the potential to decrease spending per new chemical compound by approximately 30% (from an average cost of US$500 to US$750 million per compound), while also decreasing the time investment by two years (from an average of 10–12 years from discovery to market).
termination was motivated by any actions on our part. In fact, the units that we have placed with GE, including a system delivered more than two years ago, are performing well. Proton will continue its good faith effort to address and resolve this matter, but we cannot be confident of a fair and satisfactory outcome.’ Proton Energy Systems Inc designs, develops and manufactures proton exchange membrane (PEM), electrochemical products which it employs in hydrogen-generating devices and in regenerative fuel cell systems that function as power-generating and energy storage devices. The Hogen hydrogen generators produce hydrogen from electricity and water in a clean and efficient process using its proprietary PEM technology.
Contact: Pall Corp, 2200 Northern Boulevard, East Hills, NY 11548, USA. Tel: +1 516 484 5400, Fax: +1 516 484 3649, Email: [email protected].
PolyFuel finalizes further funding
GE terminates distribution agreement In the USA, General Electric Company (GE) has terminated its distribution agreement with Proton Energy Systems Inc. The manufacturer of the membrane-based Hogen on-site hydrogen generator systems, which is based in Wallingford, Connecticut, says that the company has given no reason for ending the arrangement. As reported previously, GE was appointed as a distributor of Proton's products for the electric power-generating industry. Walter Schroeder, Proton Energy Systems' President, said: ‘We are seeking an explanation of GE's rationale for terminating the agreement. We do not believe the
Contact: Proton Energy Systems Inc, 10 Technology Drive, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA. Tel: +1 203 678 2000, Fax: +1 203 949 8016, Email: [email protected].
PolyFuel Inc of Mountain View, California, USA, a developer of membrane technology for portable fuel cells, has finalized a third round of funding, bringing the total investment in the fiveyear-old start-up firm to approximately US$40 million. This round, worth US$18.4 million, was led by CDP Capital – Private Equity and includes existing investors Mayfield, Ventures West, Technology Partners, Intel Capital and Chrysalix Energy, as well as new investors Conduit Ventures Ltd, KTB Ventures, Hotung Venture Partners, Yasuda Enterprise Development, and BiNEXT, a part of the Daesung Group. PolyFuel's membrane technology is being used in pilot fuel cell development projects at OEMs and fuel cell manufacturers around the world. The proceeds from this round of financing are expected to enable the company to support its customers through their initial testmarket phases and into early stages of commercial production.
In Brief Cuno completes acquisition of WTC Industries Cuno Inc has completed its acquisition of WTC Industries Inc (see Membrane Technology July 2004). The transaction was completed following the approval by a majority of WTC's shareholders at a special meeting held at the end of July 2004. Cuno says that the acquisition of the company will broaden its product line, technology portfolio and customer base, and strengthen its position in the water filtration business. Furthermore, WTC's PentaPure water filtration business forms an good strategic fit with Cuno's Potable Water business. CHF Solutions forms advisory board US-based medical device manufacturer CHF Solutions Inc has assembled a scientific and medical advisory board comprising several internationally recognized heartfailure physicians. The board will work with the to conduct and support scientific review, clinical research, market assessment and development, and peer communications. CHF Solutions has developed the Aquadex System 100 that is described as a mechanical pump/ultrafiltration unit, which is designed to remove excess fluid from patients. In heart-failure patients excess fluid causes swollen legs and arms, fatigue, and eventually severe and lifethreatening shortness of breath. ITT Industries' revenues rise Compared with the equivalent period of 2003, revenues for the second quarter of 2004 rose by 15% to US$1.65 billion at US company ITT Industries Inc, helped by increases in revenue across all of its business segments, acquisitions and the positive impact of foreign currency translation. Fluid Technology revenues totalled US$650.9 million, up US$80.3 million, compared with the second quarter of 2003, driven by water/wastewater and the industrial pump group, and recent acquisitions. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, including the net benefit of special items, amounted to US$1.18, up 11% from the EPS reported for the second quarter of 2003.
3 Membrane Technology September 2004