Fluidigm Announces Co-Marketing Agreement with Visiopharm to Expand and Simplify Imaging Mass Cytometry Data Analysis
Visiopharm Phenomap software presented at the Fluidigm Imaging Mass Cytometry User Group Meeting, expanding the suite of Hyperion Imaging System data analysis tools for translational and clinical research
Fluidigm Corporation (NASDAQ:FLDM) and Visiopharm A/S today announced a co-marketing relationship to automate image analysis for Imaging Mass Cytometry™ (IMC™). Under the terms of this agreement, Fluidigm and Visiopharm will cooperatively promote Visiopharm® image analysis software in conjunction with the Fluidigm® Hyperion™ Imaging System, MCD™ Viewer software and related Maxpar® antibodies and kits.
Developed using proven Fluidigm CyTOF® technology, the Hyperion Imaging System surpasses the inherent limitations of fluorescence detection by using highly pure metal tags that are separated by mass instead of by wavelength. Setting a new standard in highly multiplexed protein detection, the system enables researchers to simultaneously detect up to 37 markers from a single tissue section by IMC. Providing comprehensive analysis of cellular phenotypes and their interrelationships within the spatial context of the tissue microenvironment, IMC is aiding researchers around the world to uncover meaningful new insights in health and disease.
“We are committed to maximizing the full potential of mass cytometry to deeply interrogate tissue and tumor samples,” said Chris Linthwaite, President and CEO of Fluidigm. “Today we are excited to announce our agreement with Visiopharm, a leader in quantitative digital pathology software solutions. Together with Visiopharm, we are proud to bring new software capabilities to our growing IMC community.”
On September 11, Visiopharm will present its Phenomap™ software at the Fluidigm Imaging Mass Cytometry User Group Meeting in Seattle. Developed as an expansion of the Oncotopix® Discovery platform, Phenomap enables researchers to perform automated analysis of images generated by the Hyperion Imaging System. Offered as a licensed software solution from Visiopharm, Phenomap provides automated cell segmentation and phenotyping of cell classes in addition to powerful visualization of cell populations with phenotypic charting and t-SNE clustering.
“The collaboration between Fluidigm and Visiopharm will provide scientists novel tools to understand the biology of cancer, including the phenotyping of cells within the tumor microenvironment,” said Michael Grunkin, CEO of Visiopharm. “Our complementary technologies provide an entirely new research approach to drive drug-diagnostic co-development on a tissue-based platform, with the potential to also provide a new framework for precision medicine in cancer.”
“Collaborating to provide high-value automated data analysis solutions for the Hyperion Imaging System is essential to our strategy to empower routine use of this powerful technology,” continued Linthwaite. “By introducing automation to the MCD™ Viewer analysis pipeline, Phenomap further expands the capabilities of the Hyperion Imaging System to advance our understanding of human disease and improve the future of care.”
About Visiopharm
Visiopharm is a world leader in Augmented Pathology™ solutions. Leading biopharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations (CROs), academic medical centers, and hospital diagnostic pathology labs all over the world utilize the Oncotopix platform for tissue-based research and diagnostics. Oncotopix provides scientists and pathologist with a scalable software solution that fits the needs and volumes of both research and diagnostic labs. Over the past 16 years Visiopharm has grown into an international business with over 800 installations and countless more users. Visiopharm software is featured in over 1,350 scientific publications since 2010 and is compatible with leading slide scanning systems and data management software. A growing network of authorized distributors and integration partners support the growth of Visiopharm solutions on several continents including North America, Europe, and Asia. Our headquarters is in the Medicon Valley of Denmark, with a branch office in the United Kingdom and a North American office in Broomfield, Colorado.
About Fluidigm
Fluidigm (NASDAQ:FLDM) develops, manufactures, and markets life science analytical and preparatory systems for markets such as mass cytometry, high-throughput genomics, and single‑cell genomics. We sell to leading academic institutions, clinical research laboratories, and pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and agricultural biotechnology companies worldwide. Our systems are based on proprietary microfluidics and multiparameter mass cytometry technology and are designed to significantly simplify experimental workflow, increase throughput, and reduce costs while providing excellent data quality. Fluidigm products are provided for Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
We use our website (www.fluidigm.com), corporate Twitter account (@fluidigm), Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/fluidigm), and LinkedIn page (https://www.linkedin.com/company/fluidigm-corporation) as channels of distribution of information about our products, our planned financial and other announcements, our attendance at upcoming investor and industry conferences, and other matters. Such information may be deemed material information, and we may use these channels to comply with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Therefore, investors should monitor our website and our social media accounts in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, and webcasts.
Fluidigm, the Fluidigm logo, CyTOF, Hyperion, Imaging Mass Cytometry, IMC, Maxpar, and MCD are trademarks or registered trademarks of Fluidigm Corporation. Oncotopix is a registered trademark of Visiopharm.
Forward-Looking Statement for Fluidigm
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, among others, statements regarding the anticipated benefits of newly introduced products and the growth and potential of Imaging Mass Cytometry research. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from currently anticipated results, including but not limited to risks relating to challenges inherent in developing, manufacturing, launching, marketing, and selling new products; potential product performance and quality issues; intellectual property risks; and competition. Information on these and additional risks and uncertainties and other information affecting Fluidigm business and operating results is contained in Fluidigm’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Fluidigm Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Fluidigm disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements except as may be required by law.
Contacts:
Visiopharm
Amanda Lowe
Senior Vice President, Operations
877 843 5268 ext. 705
alo@visiopharm.com
Fluidigm
Media:
Michaeline Bunting
Senior Director, Marketing
650 737 4190
michaeline.bunting@fluidigm.com
Investors:
Agnes Lee
Vice President, Investor Relations
650 416 7423
agnes.lee@fluidigm.com
