Eppendorf, the Hamburg-based Biotech Group establishes competence center for biochips in Belgium.
Eppendorf AG, Hamburg, will concentrate its core activities in the business field of micro arrays (biochips) in Belgium and has acquired the majority interest in Advanced Array Technology, Namur, (AAT) effective immediately. Micro arrays are DNA probes, which are fixed to polymer supports and enable the detection of specific DNA targets. Customer target groups are research facilities in biotechnology, the pharmaceutical industry as well as in clinical diagnostics. Eppendorf will have immediate access to a series of biochip products ready for market introduction while significantly enhancing the product pipeline by on-going R&D projects. First market launches are scheduled before the end of 2002. Starting 2003, additional new biochips as well as instruments for processing and analysis will continuously complement the line and thus form comprehensive systems. AAT is a successful spin-off of the University of Namur. It has a proprietary technology platform and provides a competitive edge of experience by means of innovative patents. The formation of AAT was an appreciation of the research results performed by the university and was supported by the Walloon region to stimulate high-tech industries. As a result of combined expertise and intellectual properties, the competence center comprises the ability to generate advanced substrates for micro arrays, unique labeling methods, and low cost hardware for detection with superior sensitivity. The world market of micro arrays for DNA applications is estimated today to reach approximately US$ 175 million and forecasts believe this segment will grow to US$ 1.0 to 1.3 billion by the year 2005. By building the competence center for micro arrays, Eppendorf will expand its possibilities in this future-oriented technology. We are convinced that micro arrays will play an important role in research for molecular biology," says Klaus Fink, President and CEO of Eppendorf. The president of the newly formed Eppendorf Array Technologies (EAT), Professor José Remacle, is pleased to enter into a partnership with Eppendorf which opens the door to worldwide marketing possibilities. This confirms that the policy of the University of Namur creating spin-offs bears economic success. Integration into an academic environment is of vital importance for research in molecular biology." AAT (Advanced Array Technology SA) located in Namur, Belgium, is the largest spin-off of the University of Namur founded in 1999. For a long time, the University of Namur has pursued a strategy of consequently developing technologies and spinning them off into commercial units. AAT employs 15 people. Its main activities besides micro array applications include new methods of labeling as well as development of kits for the detection of transcription factors. The Eppendorf AG is a leading supplier of system and research tools for the biotechnology industry worldwide and has more than 1,600 employees on four continents. After double-digit growth rates over several years in succession, the Group achieved a turnover of almost 290 million Euro in 2001 and operative profits (EBIT) of 28.9 million Euros. EAT, Centre technologique, rue du Seminaire 22, 5000 Namur. ,Tel. ++320081724238 - Fax : ++320081724135. ,e-mail : aatinfo@aat-array.com ,http://www.aat-array.com,http://www.eppendorf.com
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