Protocols developed for assay kits from Beacon Analytical Systems and Romer Labs for use on SpectraMax(R) microplate readers with SoftMax(R) Pro analytical software SUNNYVALE, CA, Feb. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MDS Analytical Technologies, a leader in innovative solutions for drug discovery and life sciences research, today announced that two new assay kits - the Melamine Plate Kit from Beacon Analytical Systems, which focuses on the development and manufacture of immunodiagnostic kits for environmental and food/feed testing markets, and the AgraQuant Melamine ELISA Test Kits from Romer Labs, a leader in diagnostic solutions for mycotoxins and genetically modified organisms - have been validated for use on MDS Analytical Technologies' SpectraMax(R) absorbance microplate readers with SoftMax(R) Pro 5 GxP analytical software, an industry-standard analysis software for FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance. This high-throughput solution from MDS Analytical Technologies offers a cost-effective method for the detection of melamine, an organic industrial polymer that has recently been found in various foods and may cause serious illness or death. These enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) solutions offer food-safety technicians more options in their continued effort to detect the presence of melamine. "Melamine contamination continues to be a major concern and emphasis on finding effective detection methods is growing," said Andy Boorn, President of MDS Analytical Technologies. "In the past three months, MDS Analytical Technologies has now validated three such detection kits to run on our hardware and software. We're very pleased to be the emerging leader in high-throughput, cost-effective melamine detection solutions." Mass-spectrometry systems made by MDS Analytical Technologies are also used throughout the world to scan, identify and measure food contaminants, such as melamine. Mass-spectrometry systems, including the recently announced AB SCIEX QTRAP(R) 5500 and AB SCIEX Triple Quad(TM) 5500, deliver high sensitivity, selectivity, high speed and reliability of results in laboratory analysis, enabling rapid detection and ultimately stronger compliance with, and enforcement of, food-safety regulations. SpectraMax(R) microplate readers can be integrated with the MDS Analytical Technologies' StakMax(R) microplate handling system. Technicians may also configure the StakMax(R) system with MDS Analytical Technologies' AquaMax(R) 4000 microplate washer. These combinations can be used to maximize throughput while minimizing manual plate handling. To download application notes on this method, please visit http://www.moleculardevices.com/melamine. Alternatively, customers can call our Customer Service department at (408) 747-1700 to speak to a sales representative. About SpectraMax(R) Absorbance Microplate Readers MDS Analytical Technologies, which acquired Molecular Devices Corporation in 2007, is a leading supplier of microplate reader systems to academic, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology research groups worldwide. The Company offers several multi-mode detection systems including SpectraMax(R) M5e and SpectraMax(R) M2e microplate readers, as well as SpectraMax(R) 340 PC, VersaMax(TM), VMax(R), and EMax(R) single-mode microplate readers. The Company's SpectraMax(R) patented technologies, such as PathCheck(R) well-volume detection, dual-monochromators, and SmartOptics design, enable researchers more flexibility, sensitivity, and ease-of-use for the broadest range of assays. The PathCheck(R) sensor is the only patented technology available that measures the depth (optical pathlength) of a sample in a microplate. When combined with SoftMax(R) Pro software, it automatically normalizes the well absorbance to a cuvette equivalent pathlength of one centimeter. The patented dual-monochromator design uses two scanning monochromators to determine optimal excitation and emission settings, eliminating the need for expensive filters. Find out more at http://www.moleculardevices.com/pages/instruments/readers_main.html. About SoftMax(R) Pro 5 GxP Analytical Software SoftMax(R) Pro 5 GxP analytical software, which is FDA 21 CFR Part 11-compliant, raises the bar for microplate data acquisition and analysis. This software solution, which runs on all microplate readers offered by MDS Analytical Technologies, offers significant enhancements over previous releases, including five parameter (5PL) logistic curve fitting; parallel line analysis (PLA) with observation weighting; more than 120 ready-to-run assay protocols for instant results generation; native support for Mac OS X; XML export and multiple-destination AutoSave with new options; enhanced Windows Interprocess Messaging for better robotics/LIMS/SDMS integration; more detailed printed headers and footers; and full backwards-compatibility. Find out more at http://www.moleculardevices.com/pages/software/softmax.html. About MDS Analytical Technologies MDS Analytical Technologies, a business unit of MDS Inc., is focused on the research, design, manufacture and marketing of state-of-the-art tools for mass-spectrometry, drug discovery and bioresearch. MDS Analytical Technologies' products are designed to help accelerate the complex process of discovering and developing new drug compounds, and are sold to research scientists around the world. The mass-spectrometer product lines are also sold globally through joint ventures with two of the world's leading analytical instrumentation and life-sciences companies, Life Technologies Corporation and PerkinElmer, Inc. Find out more at http://www.mdssciex.com/ or http://www.moleculardevices.com/. About MDS Inc. MDS Inc. (TSX: MDS; NYSE: MDZ) is a global life-sciences company that provides market-leading products and services that our customers need for the development of drugs and diagnosis and treatment of disease. We are a leading global provider of pharmaceutical contract research, medical isotopes for molecular imaging, radiotherapeutics, and analytical instruments. MDS, Inc. has more than 5,000 highly skilled people in 29 countries. Find out more at http://www.mdsinc.com/ or by calling 1-888-MDS-7222, 24 hours a day. DATASOURCE: MDS Inc. CONTACT: MEDIA: Tom Driscoll, (408) 747-3681, ; INVESTORS: Kim Lee, (416) 213-4721,

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