GSP Laboratory and Abnova Corporation announced today the collaboration and introduction of new FISH (fluorescent
in situ hybridization) probes for detection of gene amplification and translocation. Considerable research efforts have been spent on the investigation of cancers in recent years, especially in the discovery and identification of tissue biomarkers in relevance to disease detection, prognosis, treatment and management. Antibody is the currently the most popular tool for qualitative study of protein expression on normal and diseased tissues. The use of FISH serves as a powerful and complementary tool to immunohistochemistry (IHC) antibody for quantitative analysis of gene expression. This unique combination of IHC antibody and FISH probes has established a new standard and paradigm in field of translational research, biomarker discovery, and
in vitro diagnostic development. This is evidenced by the widely popular IHC antibody and FISH probe for Her-2/neu, a breast cancer biomarker for tratuzumab (Herceptin®) monoclonal antibody therapy in the commercial setting.
“We are extremely delighted to have the opportunity to work with Mr. Masahiko Maekawa of GSP Laboratory,” said Dr. Wilber Huang, President and CEO of Abnova. As an ex-veteran of major pharmaceutical company in Osaka and renowned expert in the field of FISH, Mr. Maekawa brings extensive knowledge and experience in the design and application of FISH probes. “Our first goal is to introduce a collection of about 50 FISH probes targeting high impact genes in human cancer based on significant evidence of their involvement in cancer development. Our next goal to further increase the scientific and commercial value of these probes by performing additional characterization on cancer tissues alongside Abnova’s extensive collection of IHC antibodies. We will then further expand the market by designing and introducing up to 200 FISH probes for a broad range of genes and human cancers.” These bio-tools will serve as valuable arsenals for the research, diagnostic and therapeutic industries.
“Abnova has built one of the largest portfolios of IHC antibodies. The breadth and depth of antibody coverage for cancer research are unprecedented,” stated Mr. Masahiko Maekawa, President and CEO of GSP Laboratory. “We see an increased momentum of in the use of FISH probes in the translational and clinical research settings. This is driven by correlation and validation of amplified gene targets with protein overexpression, biological function, clinical outcome data, and efficacy of drug treatment. As a result, we are also developing instrumentations to further simplify and support the use of FISH probes. We would like to bridge the gap between Genomics and Proteomics research for biomarker discovery and applications. Working with Abnova will allow us to gain deeper penetration in the biomarker research market.”
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About Abnova
Abnova is a biotech company specializing in high throughput protein expression and antibody production. The manufacturing infrastructure Abnova has developed is a unique combination of world-class technologies and management experience of the IT industry in Taiwan. The company has vastly expanded the scope and availability of bio-tool reagents by taking a genome-wide approach to the production of human recombinant protein and antibody. In addition, it has developed a portfolio of integrated and system applications including antibody pairs, ELISA kits, high content screening assays, and label-free protein quantification system which are essential to the biomarker discovery and translational research industries. (
www.abnova.com)
About GSP Laboratory
GSP Laboratory is a biotech focusing on application of the fluorescent
in situ hybridization (FISH) probes for gene amplification, translocation, and deletion studies. The technical and management team have in-depth expertise in the design, use, and custom manufacturing of FISH probes. The products are used both translational and clinical research settings for biomarker discovery and validation on the gene level. The company leverages its expertise in FISH probe development in collaboration with diagnostic and therapeutic companies. (
www.gsplab.co.jp)
