16.07.2013: A novel solution for analyzing 3D cell cultures, based on Tecan's Infinite® M200 PRO and InSphero's 3D InSight microtissue technology, is helping to reduce the cost of early phase drug development. Dr Jens M Kelm, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of InSphero, explained: "Although classical 2D cell culture techniques are still widely used throughout the pharmaceutical industry, their limitations are becoming increasingly apparent. The efficacy of a candidate drug depends on a number of factors, including the physical and chemical environments in vivo, drug penetration and clearance rates. 2D cell cultures do not accurately reflect how all of these factors will affect drug behavior in vivo; 3D cell culturing techniques offer greater biological relevance for drug screening."
InSphero's 3D InSight microtissues more closely mimic the in vivo environment than traditional 2D culture formats"The GravityTRAP plate allows straightforward use of hanging drop cultures into ANSI/SLAS format microplates, permitting the use of automated liquid handling systems and standard format microplate readers, such as the Infinite M200 PRO multimode reader. This instrument's bottom reading optics are a good match for the conical well design of the plate allowing the entire well to be scanned at once, without the need for multiple acquisitions at different points across each well and the system's multiple reading modes provide a lot of flexibility in terms of the assay reporter mechanisms which can be employed," concluded Dr Kelm.
To find out more on Tecan's Infinite 200 PRO multimode readers, visit www.tecan.com/infinite200pro
To find out more on InSphero's 3D InSight microtissue technology, visit www.insphero.com
About Tecan
Tecan (www.tecan.com) is a leading global provider of laboratory instruments and solutions in biopharmaceuticals, forensics and clinical diagnostics. The company specializes in the development, production and distribution of automated workflow solutions for laboratories in the life sciences sector. Its clients include pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, university research departments, forensic and diagnostic laboratories. As an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Tecan is also a leader in developing and manufacturing OEM instruments and components that are then distributed by partner companies. Founded in Switzerland in 1980, the company has manufacturing, research and development sites in both Europe and North America and maintains a sales and service network in 52 countries. In 2012, Tecan generated sales of CHF 391 million (USD 416 million; EUR 323 million). Registered shares of Tecan Group are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange (TECN; ISIN CH0012100191).
About InSphero
InSphero is a leading supplier of organotypic, biological in vitro 3D microtissues for highly predictive drug testing. The company, headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, currently counts 7 of the top ten global pharmaceutical and cosmetics companies as customers. InSphero 3D Insight Microtissues enable more biologically relevant in vitro applications in efficacy and toxicology. The spin-off company of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich and the University Zurich has been recognized for its scientific and commercial achievements with a number of national and international awards and is also certified to the ISO 9001:2008 standard for its Quality Management System.
For more information please contact
Tecan Trading AG
Cornelia Kegele / Antonietta Allocca
Seestrasse 103, CH-8708 Männedorf
Tel +41 (0)44 922 81 11, Fax +41 (0)44 922 81 12
[email protected]
www.tecan.com
InSphero AG
Jens Kelm / Manuela Vujevic
Wagistrasse 5, CH-8952 Schlieren
Tel +41 (0)44 515 04 90, Fax +41 (0)44 515 04 91
[email protected]
www.insphero.com