TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 20, 2005--Agilent Technologies Inc.
(NYSE:A) and Human Metabolome Technologies, a Japanese bioventure,
today announced they have signed an agreement to collaborate on an
integrated set of metabolome analysis tools designed to help
researchers discover potential therapeutics.
Under the agreement, the two companies will work to integrate
HMT's novel biochemical assays with Agilent's capillary
electrophoresis (CE) and mass spectrometry (MS) technologies for the
profiling, identification and quantitation of metabolic markers.
Metabolomics, which aims to characterize the complete set of
metabolites, provides critical insights into how living things
function under particular conditions, such as stress or disease, and
may help identify targets for drug development. Typical human cells
contain thousands of metabolites, and the aim of the HMT/Agilent
solution is to develop a new and unique mass-spectrometry-based
workflow for high throughput analysis.
"The human metabolome is the next frontier of research beyond the
genome and the proteome, and metabolomics promises exciting advances,"
said Dr. Yoshihiro Ohtaki, president of HMT. "The combination of
Agilent's robust and sensitive CE/MS technology with our latest
metabolomics methodologies will speed the identification of
metabolites and improve scientists' ability to map the human
metabolome."
The Agilent and HMT metabolomics solution is expected to be on the
market within six months.
"Metabolomics is a rapidly emerging and promising area in life
science research and an area of focus for Agilent," said Taia Ergueta,
Agilent business manager for proteomics, Life Sciences and Chemical
Analysis group. "We offer competencies in gene expression, separation
technologies, mass spectrometry and informatics. The further
application of HMT's expertise in metabolomics methodologies will
speed the development of new tools for metabolomics research."
Agilent and HMT are participating in the First International
Conference of the Metabolomics Society in Tsuruoka City, Japan, today
through June 23.
About Human Metabolome Technologies
Human Metabolome Technologies Inc. (HMT) was founded in July 2003
based on Capillary Electrophoresis-Mass Spectrometry (CE-MS)
technologies that were developed by Masaru Tomita (Director of the
Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University) and Tomoyoshi
Soga (Associate Professor of Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio
University). HMT technologies make it possible to measure over 1,600
metabolites in cells and organisms simultaneously and comprehensively,
at high speed and with high resolution. HMT provides corporate
partners with data of the metabolome measured by CE-MS and technical
tools, which in turn help them develop products effectively, i.e.,
pharmaceuticals, functional foods and fermentation processes. HMT has
already begun collaborations with several pharmaceutical and food
companies for biomarker studies. Information about HMT is available on
the Web at www.humanmetabolome.com.
About Agilent Integrated Biology Solutions
Agilent IBS is a leading supplier of life science research systems
that enable scientists to understand complex biological processes,
determine disease mechanisms and speed drug discovery. Engineered for
sensitivity, reproducibility and workflow productivity, Agilent's
integrated biology solutions include instrumentation, microfluidics,
software, microarrays, consumables and services for genomics,
proteomics and metabolomics applications.
About Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) is the world's premier
measurement company and a technology leader in communications,
electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company's 28,000
employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net
revenue of $7.2 billion in fiscal year 2004. Information about Agilent
is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined
in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is subject to the safe
harbors created therein. The forward-looking statements contained
herein include, but are not limited to, information regarding the
timetable for making the Agilent/HMT metabolomics solution available
to the market and the growth of the market for metabolomics solutions.
Such information involves risks and uncertainties that could cause
Agilent's results to differ materially from management's current
expectations. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not
limited to the rapid development of life sciences technology and
fluctuations in demand for life sciences products.
In addition, other risks that Agilent faces in running its
operations include the ability to execute successfully through
business cycles while it continues to implement cost reductions; the
ability to meet and achieve the benefits of its cost-reduction goals
and otherwise successfully adapt its cost structures to continuing
changes in business conditions; ongoing competitive, pricing and gross
margin pressures; the risk that our cost-cutting initiatives will
impair our ability to develop products and remain competitive and to
operate effectively; the impact of geopolitical uncertainties on our
markets and our ability to conduct business; the ability to improve
asset performance to adapt to changes in demand; the ability to
successfully introduce new products at the right time, price and mix
and other risks detailed in Agilent's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended Oct. 31, 2004, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the period ended April 30, 2005. Forward-looking statements are based
on the belief and assumptions of Agilent's management and on currently
available information. Agilent undertakes no responsibility to
publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Further technology, corporate citizenship and
executive news is available on the Agilent news site at
www.agilent.com/go/news.
CONTACT: Agilent
Sui-Ching Low, +65 6215 4463
sui-ching_low@agilent.com
Stuart Matlow, 408-553-7191
stuart_matlow@agilent.com
or
Human Metabolome Technologies
Mineo Morohashi, busdev@humanmetabolome.com
SOURCE: Agilent Technologies Inc.