(openPR) - Dortmund, Germany and Geneva, Switzerland – May 29, 2008 - Protagen AG and Geneva Bioinformatics (GeneBio) SA today announced a distribution agreement that allows GeneBio to distribute Protagen’s Modiro, a novel software tool enabling rapid and automated detection of true post-translational modifications in MS/MS datasets.

Under the terms of the agreement, GeneBio will distribute the Modiro package on a global basis; at the same time, GeneBio and Protagen will collaborate closely in order to seamlessly link the Modiro functionalities to GeneBio’s Phenyx software platform for MS data analysis.

Post-translational protein modifications modulate the activity of many proteins and the in-depth analysis of these changes is of growing importance in the research and development of new drug candidates. Modiro enables researchers to identify significantly more of these crucial modifications using existing mass-spectrometry data. In addition, the automated identification of PTMs by Modiro significantly reduces time and efforts in protein analysis.

Developed in collaboration with the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Phenyx is GeneBio’s renowned software platform for the identification and characterization of proteins and peptides from mass spectrometry data. The Phenyx platform is specifically designed to meet the concurrent demands of high-throughput MS data analysis and dynamic results assessment via a customisable architecture and an innovative user friendly interface (phenyx.vital-it.ch/pwi).

“We are very excited about this collaboration with GeneBio and believe it will help to bring Modiro to wide range of new customers,” said Dr. Christoph Hüls, CEO of Protagen. “We are well aware of the reputation of both GeneBio and Phenyx within the industry and feel that our combined efforts will help to establish Modiro as the gold-standard for PTM analysis. In addition, we look forward to working with the GeneBio team in order to enhance both the Modiro and Phenyx platform.”

“We are pleased to be able to distribute Modiro and work with Protagen to help raise the bar in our industry,” said Nasri Nahas, CEO of GeneBio. “The addition of Modiro to our product line-up and the eventual technological gains that our companies will share through this cooperation will bring us closer to our goal of providing the most comprehensive platform in the MS field. Phenyx has seen significant traction in the market since its inception; working with Protagen will build and extend our expertise, thereby bringing us closer to our goals.”

For more information concerning this distribution agreement, for Phenyx or Modiro product demonstrations, please visit GeneBio booth #27 at the upcoming ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry in Denver, Colorado, from June 1-5.

Contact
Protagen AG
Dr. Christoph Hüls
CEO
Protagen AG
Otto-Hahn-Str. 15
44227 Dortmund
Germany
Tel: +49 (0) 231 9742 6300
E-Mail: info@protagen.de

GeneBio
Andrew Smith
Marketing Manager
Geneva Bioinformatics S.A.
25 avenue de Champel
1206 Genf
Switzerland
Tel: +41 (0) 22 702 9900
E-Mail: andrew.smith@genebio.com

Media enquiries:
Dr. Holger Bengs
Biotech Consulting
Tel: +49 (0) 69 6199 4273
E-Mail: info@holgerbengs.de

About Protagen AG
Protagen (www.protagen.com) is a leading provider of products, services and software solutions for protein research. Operating internationally to provide customers with products and services of the highest quality, Protagen has offices in Dortmund, Germany and New Jersey, USA. The Company has a decade of experience in applying the most advanced protein research tools and techniques to improve the efficiency of the drug discovery and development process.
As an innovator in protein biochips, Protagen has developed UNIclone®, a patent protected platform for protein expression libraries and protein arrays, and UNIchip®, a versatile and highly efficient series of protein biochip products for antibody development. In addition, it has established UNIarrayTM, a highly efficient technology platform for biomarker discovery on an industrial scale.

About GeneBio
Geneva Bioinformatics (GeneBio) SA is a leading bioinformatics company providing the life science community with world-class proteomics software that bridges the gap between information gathering and knowledge generation. Established in 1997, we focus our expertise on protein identification and characterization as well as proteome imaging, offering clients and partners a high degree of specialization essential to proteomics research. Close ties to academic peers and a thorough network of distribution and strategic partners give us both unfettered access to scientific excellence and recognized market presence so that we may best serve the scientific community. For more information about GeneBio, please visit: www.genebio.com.