AP-MALDI source

	Next higher product group	ion source
	Status	2002-04-10 sales existent
	Organisation	MassTech Inc.
	Group	Science and Engineering Services Inc. (SESI) (Group)

Agilent Technologies Inc.. (4/10/02). "Press Release: Agilent Technologies to Enhance Proteomics Solution with Addition of AP-MALDI from MassTech Inc.". Palo Alto, CA.

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today announced an agreement with MassTech Inc. of Burtonsville, Maryland. Under the terms of the agreement Agilent and MassTech are expected to develop a customized version of MassTech's atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (AP-MALDI) source as original equipment for sale on the Agilent 1100 Series LC/MSD Trap ion trap mass spectrometers as well as possible future Agilent mass spectrometers.

AP-MALDI, a gentle ionization technique, is particularly well suited to the analysis of peptides and related compounds of interest to scientists doing proteomics research. It may also have applicability in the high-volume analysis of drug candidates generated by combinatorial chemistry.

Information at a Fraction of Previous Cost

Until recently, MALDI plus the MS/MS data acquisition required for structural elucidation was available only from quadrupole-time-of-flight (Q-TOF) or time-of-flight-time-of-flight (TOF-TOF) mass spectrometers with prices approaching $500,000. The combination of AP-MALDI with the LC/MSD Trap is expected to allow scientists to acquire MS/MS data from ions generated by MALDI for a fraction of that price.

"We are extremely pleased at the prospect of offering our customers this ionization choice," said Frank Cesarz, LC/MS marketing manager at Agilent. "Combined with the intelligent, second-generation data-dependent MS/MS acquisition of the LC/MSD Trap, it should be a very sensitive, rugged, and inexpensive way to acquire large amounts of important proteomics data."

Outstanding Sensitivity

Tests with peptide digests have shown excellent sensitivity for absolute sample amounts in the low femtomole range spotted onto the sample plate. AP-MALDI analysis consumes only a fraction of the total sample deposited, allowing sample plates to be stored for further analysis.

Load Samples in Seconds Instead of Minutes or Hours

Traditional MALDI sources operate under high vacuum. Loading a new sample plate is a tedious process taking up to an hour to break vacuum, load a sample plate, re-establish vacuum, and allow the system to stabilize before analyses can resume. Because AP-MALDI takes place at atmospheric pressure, a new sample plate can be loaded in seconds -- simplifying operation and greatly increasing sample throughput.

The 96-well sample plates are compatible with sample deposition by robotic preparation systems, which can also increase throughput.

Agilent will work closely with MassTech to improve source performance and adapt the AP-MALDI source to the LC/MSD Trap's ion source mounting system.

U.S. Availability

Pricing of the AP MALDI source has not yet been determined. Shipments are expected to begin in late summer 2002.

Information about Agilent's life science products and services is available at www.agilent.com/chem.

About MassTech Inc.

MassTech Inc. is a privately owned start-up company incorporated in 2001 for developing AP-MALDI and infrared MALDI-related products. Information about the company is available on the web site www.apmaldi.com.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics and life sciences. The company's 39,000 employees serve customers in more than 120 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $8.4 billion in fiscal year 2001. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements (including, without limitation, statements relating to the expected selling by Agilent of a customized version of MassTech's atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (AP-MALDI) source as original equipment on the Agilent 1100 Series LC/MSD Trap ion trap mass spectrometers as well as possible future Agilent mass spectrometers; the ability of the combination of AP-MALDI with the LC/MSD Trap to allow scientists to acquire MS/MS data from ions generated by MALDI for a fraction of that price; and the ability of Agilent and MassTech to adapt the AP-MALDI source to the LC/MSD Trap's ion source mounting system) that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause results of Agilent Technologies to differ materially from management's current expectations. These risks are detailed in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Agilent's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed Feb. 1, 2002, and Form 10-Q filed March 6, 2002.

# # #

Contact:
David Fisher
+1 650 485 4688
david_fisher@agilent.com
Doug Forsyth
+1 650 485 5603
doug_forsyth@agilent.com

Record changed: 2011-11-25

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AP-MALDI source

Agilent Technologies Inc.. (4/10/02). "Press Release: Agilent Technologies to Enhance Proteomics Solution with Addition of AP-MALDI from MassTech Inc.". Palo Alto, CA.

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