Innova expands novel biomolecule conjugation technologies to simplify and accelerate research processes

Innova Biosciences Limited is delighted to announce the launch of an exciting new application using its Lightning-Link™ technology to provide a further addition to its revolutionary conjugation capabilities and product offering. Lightning-Link technology is used to join biomolecules forming ‘conjugates’, which are widely employed in bioscience, medical research as well as in diagnostic applications.

Innova has expanded its capabilities in a new application area, using Lightning-Link to speed up conjugation of the fluorescent protein phycoerythrin (PE) to disease-sensing monoclonal antibodies. Using a flow cytometer, a machine which is widely available in research and clinical laboratories worldwide, the resulting PE conjugates can be used to detect a variety of disease disorders. To address these needs Innova has launched its new Lightning-Link PE kit.

Announcing the launch, Innova’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Nick Gee said, “We are very pleased to add the Lightning-Link PE kit to the growing range of Lightning-Link conjugation kits and other research products we offer. What is unique about Innova’s method of conjugating biomolecules is its speed and simplicity. The traditional conjugation techniques can take up to two hours, whereas the Lightning-Link approach takes less than 30 seconds, saving the user significant time and effort.”

One of the first scientists to utilize Innova’s new Lightning-Link PE kit in this application, Dr Andy Rawstron of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said, “This product has the potential to dramatically improve the ability of researchers to characterise new targets for diagnosis, monitoring and therapy of leukaemia and lymphoma.”

The Lightning-Link PE kit is a further new addition to Innova's existing range of Lightning-Link conjugation kits, which include Lightning-Link HRP (Horse Radish Peroxidase) and Lightning-Link AP (Alkaline Phosphatase). These kits complement other Innova offerings which include a range of phosphate detection reagents, affinity resins and assay kits as well as Innova’s conjugation services. Innova has a pipeline of additional exciting conjugation products which will be launched throughout 2007.