Fluidigm and Olink Bioscience Bring a New Level of Protein Biomarker Discovery to the Life Science Research Market - 96 Samples Across 92 Proteins in One Microfluidic Run

UPPSALA, Sweden and SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., USA -- July 31, 2013 -- Fluidigm and Olink Bioscience have teamed up to enable interrogation of 96 samples across 92 proteins in a single run from one microliter of sample in less than a day.

The two companies will co-market the combination of their respective products --  Fluidigm’s BioMarkTM HD System and Olink Bioscience’s Proseek® Multiplex technology -- bringing protein research to the Fluidigm platform and Olink Bioscience’s protein detection assays to the high-throughput, high reproducibility and unparalleled sensitivity realm of Fluidigm’s real-time PCR system. 

Fluidigm’s BioMark HD System and Olink Bioscience’s Proseek Multiplex technologies provide researchers with the highest throughput multiplexing solution for protein biomarker discovery in the market today.  Typically, researchers are limited to working with a few tens-of-protein biomarkers at a time.  Using the BioMark HD System with the Proseek Multiplex Oncology I 96x96 Kit, a researcher can simultaneously analyze 96 human samples against a panel of 92 analytes, such as growth factors, inflammatory markers, soluble receptors, or cancer antigens. With the addition of four control analytes (two incubation controls, and extension and detection controls), researchers can now obtain results for up to 9,216 reactions in just a few hours. 

The first 92-plex Olink panel, available now, is focused on biomarker discovery for cancer. Panels addressing cardiovascular disease and inflammation are expected to be offered later this year.

“Protein research is so important because these biomarkers are used to monitor health states and predict treatment outcomes in patients. One of the biggest trends in the life sciences industry today is research to uncover biomarkers that can lead to companion diagnostics," said Simon Fredriksson, Olink Bioscience president and chief executive officer. “Conventional immunoassays have been unable to scale due to increasing antibody cross-reactivity when more and more assays are run simultaneously. Olink’s Proseek Multiplex generates high quality data even in highly multiplexed formats, and using these assays in conjunction with Fluidigm’s BioMark HD System gives protein researchers easy access to unprecedented volume and quality of data.” 

The Olink Bioscience assay provides a signal when pairs of antibodies equipped with DNA reporter molecules bind to their targets to create new DNA amplicons. The amplicons are subsequently quantified by high throughput real-time PCR. With PCR’s large dynamic range and superb sensitivity, in combination with Olink Bioscience’s unique protein detection assays, the opportunities are enormous for powerful analysis of multivariate biomarker patterns. 

“Analyzing 92 proteins from one microliter of sample enables new biomarker discovery and validation,” said Gajus Worthington, Fluidigm president and chief executive officer. “Many sample sources, including those from biorepositories or model organisms, are limited, and researchers can simply run out before they are able to find useful biomarker panels.  The combination of Fluidigm’s BioMark HD System and Olink’s Proseek Multiplex assay represents a robust new tool for the protein research community." 

Fluidigm’s BioMark HD System is a multi-application genomics and proteomics platform that provides results equivalent to the gold standards for every respective experimental approach. The system produces high-quality data from RNA, miRNA and DNA from sample sizes down to the single cell level -- and now extends to proteins. The BioMark HD System performs analysis of protein expression, gene expression, copy number variation, SNP genotyping, and digital PCR. 

Olink Bioscience's Proseek Multiplex is a multivariate protein biomarker detection kit based on Olink’s proprietary Proximity Extension Assay (PEA). It uniquely allows multiplexing of immunoassays without compromising assay performance. PEA uses pairs of oligonucleotide-labeled antibodies equipped with DNA reporter molecules to bind to proteins of interest in a highly specific manner, solving the antibody cross-reactivity dilemma that plagues and limits conventional protein assays. 

About Olink Bioscience
Olink Bioscience develops, manufactures, and markets unique and highly innovative proprietary products for biomarker research and development. Together with their customers and collaborators they aim to improve clinical decision making by the use of molecular biomarkers. Their groundbreaking tools gain new insights in disease processes, improve disease detection, and contribute to a better understanding of biology. The Duolink® In Situ product line enables detailed analyses of cell signaling pathways by microscopic visualization and quantification of endogenous protein interactions and modifications. Duolink is today used by a broad customer base worldwide in both academia and pharmaceutical industry with over 700 customer publications. Proseek Multiplex is a next generation multivariate protein biomarker detection kit. It uniquely allows multiplexing of immunoassays without compromising assay performance. Proseek simultaneously quantifies up to 92 proteins in just 1 μL liquid samples, such as serum and plasma, with exceptional analytical performance.

Olink Bioscience is headquartered in Uppsala, Sweden.

For more information, please visit www.olink.com.

Olink AB and Proseek are trademarks or registered trademarks of Olink Bioscience. 

About Fluidigm
Fluidigm (NASDAQ:FLDM) develops, manufactures, and markets microfluidic systems to leading academic institutions, clinical laboratories, and pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and agricultural biotechnology companies in growth markets, such as single-cell genomics, applied genotyping, and sample preparation for targeted resequencing. Fluidigm’s proprietary microfluidic systems consist of instruments and consumables, including 13 different commercial IFCs for nucleic acid analysis, and three families of assay chemistries. These systems are designed to significantly simplify experimental workflow, increase throughput, and reduce costs, while providing the excellent data quality demanded by customers. Fluidigm products are provided: For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

For more information, please visit www.fluidigm.com. 

Fluidigm, the Fluidigm logo, and BioMark are trademarks or registered trademarks of Fluidigm Corporation. 

Use of Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to Fluidigm’s product and marketing plans, development, objectives, expectations and/or strategies. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from currently anticipated results, including challenges inherent in developing, manufacturing, marketing, and selling products.  Information on these and additional risks affecting Fluidigm’s business and operating results are contained in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and Fluidigm disclaims any obligation to update these statements.

Contact:
Howard High
Fellow, Corporate Communications and Press Relations
Fluidigm Corporation
650-266-6081 (office)
510-786-7378 (mobile)
howard.high@fluidigm.com

Simon Fredriksson, Ph.D. 
Olink AB 
Phone: +46 18 444 3970 
E-mail: info@olink.com