LI-COR and Rockland Announce Joint Marketing Agreement

Lincoln, Nebraska, February 8, 2002: LI-COR Biosciences announces a joint marketing agreement with Rockland Immunochemicals, Inc. to produce and distribute LI-COR^® IRDye® infrared dye 800 labeled antibodies for use in a variety of research applications. IRDye® infrared dye 800 conjugates and reagents are specifically designed for protein methods that use longer-wavelength, near-infrared fluorophores to visualize proteins in Western blotting and other applications.

The LI-COR ODYSSEY^® System's proven infrared fluorescent detection technology combined with Rockland's 30 years experience with immunochemical reagents provide an ultra-sensitive and convenient alternative to standard chemiluminescent protein detection methods and a valuable tool for multicolor imaging. Very low background fluorescence in the IR range provides for a much higher signal-to-noise ratio than visible fluorophores.

"This gives researchers unlimited flexibility for their protein analysis," says Jim Wiley, product manager for LI-COR. "It greatly expands the labeled antibody choices users have for the Odyssey system." Rockland offers a custom-labeling program in addition to twenty-five standard labeled antibodies for the Odyssey.

James R. Fendrick, Rockland Immunochemical's Vice President, said, "This licensing agreement provides Rockland Immunochemicals with a unique opportunity to develop a novel range of antibody products that will assist in characterizing newly discovered proteins. This represents a significant advance in improving detection methods for the drug discovery and life science market."

Rockland Immunochemicals, Inc. is a market leader in the development of antibodies and proteins. The technology base of the organization is the experience of its staff scientists in the production and purification of a wide range of antibodies through monoclonal & polyclonal antibody techniques and antigens using baclovirus, yeast and mammalian expression systems.