Innovative Assays For Alzheimer's Disease

MPI Research, the largest single-site preclinical contract research organization worldwide, is pleased to announce that it recently completed specialized training from Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) to run Aβ42 and Total Tau immunoassays on the MSD Imager platform. MPI Research is setting the pace for providing knowledge and expertise needed by our Sponsors as they develop new treatments for Alzheimer's disease.

About Alzheimer's Disease Biomarkers
The Total Tau and Aβ42, biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease, can be used to measure biomarker levels in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) from patient clinical trials. For a class of neurodegenerative diseases, Aβ42 accumulates and aggregates, resulting in significant physical and functional changes to the brain. Notably, Aβ42 is the primary component of the plaques characteristic of Alzheimer's disease, and together with Tau they have emerged as important biomarkers of this disease. The levels of Tau and Aβ42 in CSF are statistically different between normal patients and Alzheimer's patients. Tau and Aβ42 levels in CSF are effective in discriminating incipient Alzheimer's disease from age-related memory impairment, depression, and some secondary dementias. Roger Hayes, PhD, Vice President and General Manager of Laboratory Sciences at MPI Research, commented: "We are excited to provide these biomarker assays to our Sponsors as they seek to develop treatments for this debilitating disease. This effort continues our mission of providing best-in-class, early stage drug development services to deliver safer, more efficacious products for the world. Mr. Mark Cameron, Senior Manager, Biomarkers and Immunoassay Development, and Dr. Yi Qun Xiao, Director, Immunochemistry, both experts in their respective fields, led this initiative and Sponsors will benefit from their knowledge."

About MPI Research
MPI Research, with global headquarters in Michigan, provides discovery, safety evaluation, and bioanalytical and analytical testing services (formulation development, regulated bioanalysis, immunochemistry, metals analysis, and environmental analysis) to the biopharmaceutical, medical device, animal health, agricultural, environmental, and chemical industries. Scientific knowledge and experience, quick turnaround, and dedication to strong and enduring Sponsor relationships characterize MPI Research as a high-performance, high-quality organization committed to bringing safer and more effective products to the world. For more information, visit www.mpiresearch.com.

About Meso Scale Discovery
Meso Scale Discovery, a division of MESO SCALE DIAGNOSTICS, LLC, develops and markets solutions for multiplex biological assays, including assays for biomarkers, cytokines, and phosphoproteins. MSD's platform is based on MULTI-ARRAY technology, a proprietary combination of patterned arrays and electrochemiluminescence detection, providing multiple simultaneous measurements with exceptional sensitivity, wide dynamic range, and fast, convenient processing. For more information, visit www.mesoscale.com.