Fluidigm Announces Co-Marketing Agreement with Ultivue for Biomarker Imaging Solutions for Precision Medicine

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Aug. 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fluidigm Corporation (NASDAQ:FLDM), an innovative biotechnology tools provider with a vision to improve life through comprehensive health insight, today announced a co-marketing agreement with Ultivue, Inc., under which the companies will offer a comprehensive portfolio of solutions for biomarker discovery and drug development.

Ultivue, a leader in advancing precision medicine solutions by accelerating tissue biomarker discovery and validation, develops unique assays for use in multiplex immunofluorescence imaging and analysis. Its proprietary InSituPlex^® technology is designed for fast and comprehensive exploration of biologically relevant markers combined with same-slide H&E analysis in precious tissue samples.

Fluidigm is a leader in high-parameter imaging for the clinical and translational research testing markets. Its Imaging Mass Cytometry™ (IMC™) technology is designed for highly multiplexed targeted interrogation of tissue sections for 40 or more protein markers in one scan, with distinct non-overlapping signals from element-labeled antibodies detected simultaneously for each sub-micrometer pixel.

The collaboration provides researchers with end-to-end service capability for clinical and translational research work. For example, InSituPlex technology is well-suited to identify regions of interest that may require downstream, deep profiling with Imaging Mass Cytometry. Customer access to both technologies can improve the efficiency of drug discovery programs and, in translational research, enable patient stratification to triage cases that require further investigation.

“Ultivue is at the forefront of innovation to provide unique biological insights for our customers,” said Mark Rees, Vice President of Corporate Development for Ultivue. “Our InSituPlex^® technology offers valuable profiling of the tissue and expands the depth of information possible from a single section, and thus is complementary to the high-parameter capabilities of Imaging Mass Cytometry. We believe the joint offering with Fluidigm will provide researchers with a seamless workflow that enables a far more efficient biomarker discovery and drug development process.”

Fluidigm is engaging in the agreement via its Therapeutic Insights Services (TIS) unit. Fluidigm TIS provides customers with sample-to-answer mass cytometry and IMC services for a broad range of research needs. The menu of TIS offerings includes consultation from experimental panel design to data analysis, custom antibody sourcing, conjugation and verification, staining for IMC with standard or custom panels, mass cytometry or IMC data acquisition and powerful data analysis tools.

“Imaging Mass Cytometry has become integral to the clinical and translational research testing markets,” said Chris Linthwaite, Fluidigm President and CEO. “Through Fluidigm Therapeutic Insights Services, we will offer our customers access to our technology as well as that of Ultivue, providing optimum imaging solutions for biomarker discovery and drug development.”

“Health care innovation is critical in developing new therapies as well as combating disease and new infectious threats to our global population. We are excited to partner with Ultivue to arm researchers with a broad array of tools to advance health care decision making.”

Mass cytometry technologies, including CyTOF® , Imaging Mass Cytometry and Maxpar® Direct™, have been used in more than 160 clinical trials, including 10 utilizing Imaging Mass Cytometry.

About Fluidigm
Fluidigm (Nasdaq:FLDM) focuses on the most pressing needs in translational and clinical research, including cancer, immunology, and immunotherapy. Using proprietary CyTOF and microfluidics technologies, we develop, manufacture, and market multi-omic solutions to drive meaningful insights in health and disease, identify biomarkers to inform decisions, and accelerate the development of more effective therapies. Our customers are leading academic, government, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, plant and animal research, and clinical laboratories worldwide. Together with them, we strive to increase the quality of life for all. For more information, visit fluidigm.com.

Fluidigm, the Fluidigm logo, CyTOF, Direct, Imaging Mass Cytometry, IMC, and Maxpar are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Fluidigm Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the sole property of their respective owners. For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

About Ultivue

Ultivue provides researchers and scientists with multiplex biomarker assays for tissue phenotyping and digital pathology. Its proprietary InSituPlex^® technology enables advanced exploration and interrogation of tissue samples for precision medicine research. These highly customizable solutions and a scientific consultative approach strengthen and accelerate biomarker discovery and drug development programs. For more information, visit ultivue.com.

Forward-Looking Statements 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 objectives for and anticipated benefits of a co-marketing agreement, expected joint product and service offerings, and benefits to customers of such joint offerings. 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 the potential adverse effects of the coronavirus pandemic on our business and operating results; potential product performance and quality issues; intellectual property risks; competition; uncertainties in contractual relationships; and reductions in research and development spending or changes in budget priorities by customers. 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, 2020, and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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.

Available Information
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Fluidigm 

Media:
Mark Spearman
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
650 243 6621
mark.spearman@fluidigm.com

Investors:
Peter DeNardo
415 389 6400
ir@fluidigm.com

Ultivue

Mark Rees, PhD
Vice President Corporate Development
Mobile: 1 516 512 4977

ULTIVUE
USA: 763D Concord Ave. Cambridge, MA 02138-1044
Europe: Via Calabria, 15 20090 Segrate, Milan, Italy
Website: www.ultivue.com
Email: mark.rees@ultivue.com