Author: Kristy Licari

ITHACA, NY – October 26, 2011 – Advion BioSciences, a leading life sciences Systems and Consumables developer, and one of North America’s largest bioanalytical CROs, has signed a definitive agreement for Quintiles Transnational Corp to acquire its BioServices division. Under the agreement, Quintiles will acquire Advion BioServices for an undisclosed amount of cash. Completion of the transaction, which is subject to usual and customary conditions, is expected in early November.

Going forward, Advion will focus its resources and energies on growing the Systems and Consumables business and be known as Advion, Inc. The company has a strong pipeline of new products due to be launched in the next 6-9 months, and will serve large markets. The sale of the BioServices business has strengthened the company’s position and provided further capital to invest in new products and a more global support organization in anticipation of the new products.

David Patteson, Advion’s CEO and President, commented on the acquisition, “This is an exciting time in Advion’s history. We are in the final phases of launching our compact mass spectrometer, the expression CMS. It is half the size and half the cost of current commercially available single quadrupole mass spectrometers. We have other new products destined to be released by next spring and our future has never been brighter. This latest progression of our business places Advion in a very strong financial position to exercise the next steps in achieving our vision.”

“When I co-founded Advion nearly 20 years ago, I had great expectations for its success,” states Jack Henion, CSO, Chairman and Co-founder. “The latest progression allows the Services business to have an ideal partner in Quintiles, while providing adequate resources to build our Systems business into a leadership position. I am very proud of my continued association with both businesses going forward.”

Both Mr. Patteson and Dr. Henion will remain engaged with Advion in their current roles.

About Advion, Inc.
Advion is a proven leader in flow chemistry systems and microfluidic products which improve the performance of mass spectrometers in demanding applications The company creates unique micro and nanotechnologies which deliver speed, ease-of-use, exceptional data quality and affordability. More about the company can be found at www.advion.com.

For Advion BioSystems, Inc.
Amy Boardman
Manager of Corporate Marketing Communications
Advion BioSciences, Inc.
Telephone: 1.607.266.0665, ext. 331
aboardman@advion.com

ITHACA, NY – September 29, 2011 – Advion BioSciences, Inc., a leading life sciences systems and consumables developer, and one of North America’s largest bioanalytical CROs, announces that Dr. Jack Henion, co-founder, chief scientific officer, and chairman of Advion, will be honored with the 2011 Distinguished Analytical Scientist Award (DASA) on October 5 during the 14th Annual Symposium on Chemical & Pharmaceutical Structure Analysis (CPSA 2011).

Thomas Covey, principal scientist of AB SCIEX and 2008 DASA recipient, and Richard King, co-founder and laboratory director of PharmaCadence Analytical Services and 2006 DASA recipient, will present the Award to Dr. Henion prior to his lecture entitled, A Scientific Adventure—LC/MS: From Academia to Entrepreneurship. The CPSA promotes awareness for the analytical sciences by awarding the DASA to a scientist who is recognized by his or her peers to demonstrate a sustained record of analytical innovation and contribution while actively participating in external meetings and publishing.

Dr. Henion is an internationally recognized leader in the field of MS and LC/MS. He is credited with nine patents and has published more than 200 peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals. In addition to his work at Advion, Dr. Henion managed a major research laboratory at Cornell University, where he served as a professor of toxicology for more than 24 years and is now Emeritus Professor of Analytical Toxicology. Under his leadership and vision, Advion has established itself as one of the largest and most respected bioanalytical contract laboratories in North America and a leader in chip-based nanoelectrospray mass spectrometry.

About Advion BioSciences, Inc.
Advion is the partner of choice for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and research customers requiring scientific excellence in their contract bioanalytical services, infusion and chemistry products. Our deep scientific expertise enables us to provide a portfolio of nanoelectrospray and flow-chemistry instruments as well as bioanalytical services characterized by scientific excellence, quality, flexibility, and regulatory compliance. More about the company can be found at www.advion.com.

For Advion BioSystems, Inc.
Amy Boardman
Manager of Corporate Marketing Communications
Advion BioSciences, Inc.
Telephone: 1.607.266.0665, ext. 331
aboardman@advion.com

August 29, 2011 – Denver, CO – Advion BioSystems, a leading life sciences Systems and Consumables developer, and one of North America’s largest LC‐MS bioanalytical CROs, will
introduce a Compact Mass Spectrometer (CMS) that is approximately half the size, and half the price, of existing single quadrupole mass spectrometers on the market. The CMS launch will take place at the ACS 2011 Fall meeting in Denver, CO August 29 – 31, 2011.

The expression CMS was developed with synthetic organic and process development chemists in mind. The expression CMS allows them to identify and to monitor compounds as they are created in, or next to, the reactor. Traditionally, these chemists would initiate a multi‐hour reaction and periodically withdraw samples for analysis in an open access mass spectrometry lab. Answers could take hours, eliminating the usefulness of the information. Available systems were too complex, costly and large to be used in a hood, or on the bench, next to the reaction. The expression CMS is fast and easy to use with an intuitive software package which can be run on a tablet. The instrument was designed with a small footprint (< 11 inches wide) that will fit within a fumehood, or next to an existing bench instrumentation stack, thereby conserving valuable laboratory space.

“This group of chemists has been largely underserved and Advion has a wealth of experience in mass spectrometry applications as well as medicinal chemistry,”says Simon Prosser, Senior Marketing Director for the expression CMS. “Current single quadrupole mass spectrometers have significantly more analytical power than required by our target customers, and they are paying for functionality they do not need. We have created a product with excellent performance, a smaller package, an attractive price, and we are putting the power of mass spectrometry where they need it – in their lab.”

With a price tag under US $50K, the expression CMS falls within the discretionary budget of most academic institutes and industrial departments.

The ACS Fall 2011 display is a launch to introduce the concept of the expression CMS to a key audience, and to receive final input from the market prior to official commercial release and shipment in spring 2012.

About Advion BioSystems, Inc.
Advion is a proven leader in flow chemistry systems and microfluidic products which improve the performance of mass spectrometers in demanding applications. The company creates unique micro and nanotechnologies which deliver speed, ease‐of‐use, exceptional data quality and affordability. More about the company can be found at www.advion.com or by visiting booth #836 in the Colorado Convention Center.

For Advion BioSystems, Inc.
Amy Boardman
Manager of Corporate Marketing Communications
Advion BioSciences, Inc.
Telephone: 1.607.266.0665, ext. 331
aboardman@advion.com

ITHACA, NY – August 11, 2011 — Clopidogrel is an inactive prodrug that is metabolized stepwise to its pharmacologically active metabolite (clopidogrel active metabolite; CAM) by cytochrome P450 enzymes. CAM is unstable in whole blood and plasma and requires derivatization upon collection, usually by using 2-Bromo-3′-methoxyacetophenone (BMAP). This procedure has been well documented in the literature (1). Many bioanalytical methods have historically measured plasma concentrations of clopidogrel and its inactive carboxylic acid metabolite as surrogates for plasma levels of CAM due to the difficulty of developing methods specific for CAM. Since the structure of CAM has been shown exist in the Z configuration any reference standard employed for bioanalysis would also be required to incorporate this orientation. However, due to the difficulty of synthesizing the less favored Z diastereomer, many bioanalytical methods have employed the more readily available E diastereomer. CAM has also been shown be only one of a pair of Z diastereomers (H4) while the corresponding Z diastereomer H3 has been shown to have little activity (2, 3). Therefore, existing methods that merge H3 and H4 (1) into a single chromatographic peak are less desirable than those that separate H3 and H4 (3). This is especially true in studies attempting to evaluate drug-drug interactions (4). Advion has recently validated a method specific for H4 and this method has been used in clinical analysis of thousands of samples. This method will be redeveloped to include clopidogrel and the inactive metabolite as well in the near future.

A full list of Advion’s validated LC/MS and immunoassay methods to support drug-drug interactions or comparative studies is available on its website.

REFERENCES

1. Quantitative determination of clopidogrel active metabolite in human plasma by LC–MS/MS. Takahashi, M.; Pang, H.; Kawabata, K.; et al. J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 2008 48:1219–1224.
2. Structure and sterochemistry of the active metabolite of clopidogrel. Pereillo, J.-M.; Maftouh, M.; Andrieu, A.; et al. Drug Metab. Dispos. 2002 30:1288–1295.
3. An improved method for specific and quantitative determination of the clopidogrel active metabolite isomers in human plasma. Tuffal, G.; Roy, S.; Lavisse, M.; et al. Thromb. Haemostasis 2011 105.5:696-705.
4. Differential Effects of Omeprazole and Pantoprazole on the Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics of Clopidogrel in Healthy Subjects: Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Comparison Studies. Angiolillo, D.J.; Gibson, C.M.; Cheng, S.; et al. Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. 2011 89:65-74.

About Advion BioServices, Inc.
Advion is a scientific leader in bioanalytical and immunoassay services. Advion offers a range of GLP-compliant and discovery support services including bioanalytical LC/MS/MS, LC/MS biomarker analysis, immunoassay, dose formulation analysis, P450 inhibition study support, sample management, and sample storage. The company is the laboratory of choice for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in pursuit of scientific excellence.

More information about the company can be found on its website www.advion.com.

For Advion:
Amy Boardman
Manager of Corporate Marketing Communications
1.607.266.0665
aboardman@advion.com

ITHACA, NY – July 27, 2011 – Advion BioServices, a subsidiary of Advion BioSciences, Inc. and a leading bioanalytical contract research organization, will immediately begin offering its clients SISCAPA® LC/MS Biomarker assay services. This is made possible by a license and collaboration agreement Advion BioServices has executed with SISCAPA Assay Technologies, Inc. of Rockville, MD.

Biomarker and in-turn, biotherapeutic analysis is a growing focus area in companion diagnostics, clinical patient profiling and drug development for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

“Advion is a leader in bioanalytical services, and strives to offer cutting edge technology and the greatest value and resources to our clients,” comments Tom Kurz, Advion BioServices’ President. He continues, “By partnering with SISCAPA Assay Technologies, Inc., we are able to leverage our expertise in protein and peptide analysis by mass spectrometry and open new areas of testing for our clients.”

Advion has a strong reputation in the industry for providing a large suite of critical bioanalytical services based on a philosophy of scientific excellence in an environment of strict regulatory compliance. The SISCAPA assays are mass spectrometry-based, and will be conducted in Advion’s LC/MS laboratory, based in Ithaca, NY.

“We are very pleased that Advion BioServices has become the first CRO able to offer commercial SISCAPA assay services”, said Leigh Anderson, CEO of SISCAPA Assay Technologies, Inc. “Advion is a recognized leader in mass spectrometric assays for peptides and proteins, and this capability provides a smooth path for implementation of novel biomarker assays in regulated pharmaceutical studies.”

About Advion BioServices, Inc.
Advion is a scientific leader in bioanalytical LC/MS services, in vitro assays, and immunoassay services. Advion offers a range of GLP-compliant and discovery bioanalytical services including LC/MS/MS for the determination of small molecule drugs, macromolecule therapies and biomarkers, immunoassay services, ADME screening, cytochrome P450 inhibition and induction study support, metabolism profiling, metabolite identification, sample management, and sample storage. The company is the laboratory of choice for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in pursuit of scientific excellence.

Additional information about Advion is available at www.advion.com.

For Advion:
Amy Boardman
Manager of Corporate Marketing Communications
Advion BioSciences, Inc.
607.266.0665 ext. 331
aboardman@advion.com

About SISCAPA Assay Technologies, Inc.
SISCAPA Assay Technologies is focused on creating SISCAPA® assays for a growing menu of high-value protein biomarkers, with the long-term goal of enabling sensitive and precise measurement of every human protein in clinical and other samples. Additional information about SISCAPA affinity-MS technology, available reagents, and licensing opportunities is available at www.SISCAPA.com.

INDIANAPOLIS and ITHACA, N.Y. – About 150 people attended the opening celebration of the Advion BioServices’ Drug Discovery & Metabolism Center of Excellence on Tuesday (June 28) at the Purdue Research Park of Indianapolis near the Indianapolis International Airport.

Advion, which provides a range of laboratory testing services and laboratory equipment to pharmaceutical developers and university researchers, invested more than $6 million to construct and equip 22,000 square feet of leased space at the Purdue Research Park in Indianapolis. The firm will do contract research for Eli Lilly and Co. and other types of bioanalytical assays in the new facility.

“There is a high demand for early-stage bioanalytical services and this new center will enable us to expand our drug discovery, metabolism and development services for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies,” said David B. Patteson, CEO and president of Advion BioSciences, the parent company of Advion BioServices. “The opportunity to open a facility in Indianapolis not only provides us with a talent pool of experienced scientists, but also aligns with our corporate goals of increasing our global footprint in this important research area.”

Headquartered in Ithaca, N.Y., Advion BioSciences operates in two divisions, Advion BioServices, which operates testing laboratories for pharmaceutical research, and Advion BioSystems, which provides laboratory systems and consumables for life science researchers. Founded in 1993, the company has sales and support offices in the United States, Europe and Japan.

“Advion is a good fit for Indianapolis and the Purdue Research Park of Indianapolis because of the strength of life sciences in the state and the park’s proven track record of providing high-tech companies with the resources to expand,” said Joe Hornett, senior vice president, treasurer and COO of the Purdue Research Foundation. “This move will bring the park’s 55,000-square-foot facility to near capacity.”

There are 14 new and expanding companies in the Purdue Research Park of Indianapolis.. The new center will employ nearly 50 research professionals.

“Indiana is outpacing the national average in economic growth in the life sciences and Advion’s decision to open a research facility in Indianapolis is a great benefit to us and for them,” said Mitch Roob, Indiana Secretary of Commerce and CEO of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. “We have a strong and growing life sciences sector and we have qualified graduates coming out of our universities as well as experienced professionals in the life sciences to fill the positions that Advion needs.”

According to a 2010 report by the Batelle/Biotechnology Industry Organization’s “State BioScience Initiatives” report, Indiana’s biosciences job growth is 17.2 percent compared to the national average of 15.8 percent.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Advion BioServices Inc. up to $650,000 in performance-based tax credits and up to $30,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. Develop Indy provided an additional training funding and support property tax abatement from the City of Indianapolis.

“We worked closely with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and Advion officials to recruit this new drug discovery and metabolism center to Indianapolis,” said Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard. “The dedication of Advion’s new center is another example of a series of initiatives designed to stimulate innovation and growth in our business community.”

About Advion BioServices Inc.
Advion is a scientific leader in bioanalytical and immunoassay services. Advion offers a range of GLP-compliant and discovery support services, including bioanalytical LC/MS/MS, LC/MS biomarker analysis, immunoassay, cytochrome P450 inhibition study support, sample management, and sample storage. The company is the laboratory of choice for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in pursuit of scientific excellence. More information about Advion can be found by visiting their website, https://advion.com

About IEDC
Created by Gov. Mitch Daniels in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Daniels. Mitch Roob serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC. For more information about IEDC, visit http://www.iedc.in.gov

Media Contacts:
Amy Boardman (Advion), 607-266-0665 ext. 331, boardmaa@advion.com
Blair West (IEDC), 317-232-8873, BWest@iedc.in.gov
Cynthia Sequin (Purdue Research Foundation), 765-588-3340, casequin@prf.org

INDIANAPOLIS and ITHACA, NY – May 23, 2011 – Advion BioServices, a subsidiary of Advion BioSciences, Inc. and a leading bioanalytical contract research organization, today announced the opening of its new 22,000 square-foot Drug Discovery and Metabolism bioanalytical laboratory. This expansion was previously announced in March 2011, in response to high demand for Metabolism, ADME screening and other early-stage bioanalytical services, as well as build upon a long-standing local partnership in the Indianapolis area.

At the new Indianapolis facility, Advion will focus on the earlier stage, drug discovery and metabolism bioanalytical services which evaluate how a potential new medicine is absorbed and metabolized in experimental models. Many of these services are data generation activities required for the preparation of a molecule’s entry into clinical testing.

Market demand for all drug discovery, metabolism and development services is high as pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are under pressure to increase their flexibility and move to a hybrid outsourced research model. As an established bioanalytical Contract Research Organization (CRO), Advion made a strategic decision to complement its core business offering with services needed earlier in the drug development process. Barriers to entry into the drug discovery and metabolism services market are high with significant financial investments, the necessity for specific laboratory and testing equipment, and most importantly, skilled professionals. The opportunity to expand into Indianapolis provided access to a talent pool of experienced scientists aligned perfectly with Advion’s objectives.

“For our existing clients, the additional services offer a broader and more comprehensive approach to utilize early-access scientific knowledge and transfer this to later stage analysis,” comments David B. Patteson, Advion’s President and CEO. He continues, “This should allow us to offer what the clients want, when they need it, while ensuring the scientific integrity and quality are maintained at Advion’s high standards.”

Advion has a strong reputation in the industry for providing bioanalytical services based on a philosophy of scientific excellence. The new laboratory in Indianapolis follows this philosophy. Meeting the timeline for construction and transition, the established workflows from Advion’s headquarters in Ithaca, NY as well as from its client-partner, have allowed the new facility to achieve best practices.

Advion’s expansion into Indianapolis was made possible in part by assistance provided through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). IEDC offers a centralized resource for organizations looking to establish a presence in Indiana. Support from IEDC has streamlined many of the processes for Advion in establishing this new Indianapolis facility. Additional assistance was provided by BioCrossroads, Indiana’s initiative for investment, development and advancement of the state’s signature life sciences strengths.

Staffed with nearly 50 employees, the new Drug Discovery and Metabolism Center of Excellence is located in the Purdue Research Park of Indianapolis’ technology center at the Ameriplex Business Park near the Indianapolis International Airport. A ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for late June.

About Advion BioServices, Inc.
Advion is a scientific leader in bioanalytical LC/MS services, in vitro assays, and immunoassay services. Advion offers a range of GLP-compliant and discovery bioanalytical services including LC/MS/MS for the determination of small molecule drugs, macromolecule therapies, and biomarkers, immunoassay services, ADME screening, cytochrome P450 inhibition and induction study support, metabolism profiling, metabolite identification, sample management, and sample storage. The company is the laboratory of choice for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in pursuit of scientific excellence.
Additional information about Advion is available at www.advion.com.

For Advion BioSystems, Inc.
Amy Boardman
Manager of Corporate Marketing Communications
Advion BioSciences, Inc.
Telephone: 1.607.266.0665, ext. 331
aboardman@advion.com