NanoHorizons, Inc..
200 Innovation Blvd., Suite 208, State College, PA 16803
NanoHorizons announces Matrix-less MALDI now available for Fast,
Cost Effective Analysis of Small Molecules
State College, PA, January 21, 2004 – NanoHorizons, an emerging
leader in nanoscale material and device technologies, and Kratos Analytical (a
wholly owned subsidiary of Shimadzu Corporation), a world leader in Mass
Spectrometry, announced the commercial introduction of a fast, precise
technique for small molecule analysis today.
Kratos Analytical will offer the NanoHorizons’ QuickMass™ targets, which
are used to identify low molecular weight compounds in MALDI (Matrix Assisted
Laser Desorption Ionization) mass spectrometers, through Shimadzu Biotech, a
business unit of Shimadzu Corporation.
Users of the Axima-QIT™ and Axima-CFR™plus line of mass spectrometry systems
will soon be able to realize the benefits of high throughput and lower cost from
using disposable, matrix-less, QuickMass™ targets for small molecule analysis. QuickMassTM targets increase
selectivity and reduce cross-contamination concerns for small molecule detection
in MALDI-type mass spectrometers.
“QuickMassTM
targets are a breakthrough in mass spectrometry: they provide clean and
reproducible low molecular weight spectra by eliminating the matrix compound used
to help laser desorption/ionization in a MALDI mass spectrometer. This dramatic improvement is due to the QuckMassTM
target’s non-porous, thin film surface, which adsorbs and transfers the laser
energy to the sample molecules.
Accordingly, the interfering background matrix peaks that are commonly
observed with MALDI MS are not present.
Also, the lack of surface porosity prevents low mass contaminant trapping”
says Dr. Stephen Fonash, founder and Chairman of NanoHorizons.
“By reducing the
cost and increasing sample throughput, our technology makes applications such
as drug discovery more cost effective” adds Robert Burlinson, NanoHorizons’
President and C.E.O. “Further, our
targets do not degrade with exposure to the atmosphere, so they can be stored
without extraordinary precautions. And, since Quickmass™ targets are low cost,
they can be discarded or retained for reanalysis.”
Chris Sutton, MALDI Business Manager for
Shimadzu Biotech stated “The Quickmass™ targets
represent an opportunity to demonstrate the
versatility of the Axima mass spectrometers, enabling the company to present
new solutions to the pharmaceutical and chemical markets. Quickmass™ targets
are a part of Shimadzu Biotech’s continuing strategy for developing a series of
modified MALDI targets that provide improved performance in a diverse range of
applications.”
About
NanoHorizons, Inc.
NanoHorizons,
Inc. was founded in 2002 with a business focus on nanotechnology applications
in the drug discovery, microelectronics and health care industries. The company has licensed a comprehensive portfolio
of nanotechnology Intellectual Property from the Pennsylvania State University.
The initial product offering, QuickMass™ matrix free laser desorption
plates, addresses the need for more cost effective pharmaceutical research and
increased drug discovery capacity.
Additional commercial initiatives are being pursued to meet needs for
fast, high-sensitivity respiration monitors as well as humidity and gas
sensors. Additionally, a manufacturing
process used to place high performance logic, sensors, displays, MEMS and
optoelectronics on inexpensive or mechanically flexible substrates offers
licensing opportunities.