AMRI and PerkinElmer Announce Drug Discovery Collaboration as part of the Buffalo Medical Innovation and Commercialization Hub

BUFFALO, N.Y., June 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- As further evidence of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's successful establishment of a dynamic and growing bio-pharma sector in Buffalo, New York, Albany Molecular Research Inc. (NASDAQ: AMRI) and PerkinElmer, Inc. today announced the formation of a strategic collaboration in connection with the opening of AMRI's drug discovery center as part of the new Buffalo Medical Innovation and Commercialization Hub (BMIC). Co-located on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and part of the larger commitment by the State of New York with SUNY Polytechnic Institute, the Hub will accelerate drug discovery and innovation, and ultimately support the creation of more than 250 high tech jobs.

As the anchor partner of the BMIC Hub, AMRI is able to provide integrated and translational approaches, including the deep expertise and capabilities required to move drug development programs from early discovery to the clinic. Located all within a single site on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, AMRI will be working closely with BMIC and off-campus customers and partners to provide solutions for their drug discovery and translational science needs. Scientists at the BMIC hub will be able to leverage AMRI's chemistry and biology expertise, alongside PerkinElmer's informatics technologies and high content screening, cellular imaging, and analytical instruments. PerkinElmer will also deploy technical and informatics experts to facilitate technological and drug discovery innovations. The collaboration will also provide the foundation for new research and development opportunities and catalyze the expansion of the BMIC hub. 

"We are delighted to work together on this unique public-private endeavor with PerkinElmer, which  is recognized in the industry for its leading drug discovery technologies and informatics platforms, that are critical for the success of AMRI's Discovery and Development businesses," said Dr. Michael A. Luther, Senior Vice President, Discovery and Development, AMRI. "PerkinElmer's technologies will provide us with the ability to acquire, manage, integrate and analyze large complex data from the various translational platforms needed to drive better decisions in drug discovery. This will enable us to accelerate the knowledge and information our customers and partners need and strengthen our end-to-end integrated discovery offerings."

"We are pleased to have the opportunity to deliver the platforms, informatics technologies and services to AMRI for its new center of excellence for drug discovery and translational research," said Jim Corbett, President, Human Health, PerkinElmer. "We look forward to supporting the BMIC's expansion by working closely with additional companies that establish lab facilities at this site, providing scientists with solutions and services that will advance their research and lead them toward the next big breakthrough."

"Industry collaborations are a natural outgrowth of Governor Cuomo's innovation-driven economic development strategy, and the result is rapid job creation in Western New York and increased opportunities for ground-breaking breakthroughs," said SUNY Poly Vice President for Research Dr. Michael Liehr. "These types of strategic relationships will serve as a magnet for bringing other global partners and jobs to Buffalo and build the foundation for additional collaborations, including cross-sector opportunities with our IT and green energy hubs." 

About AMRI. Albany Molecular Research Inc. (AMRI) is a global contract research and manufacturing organization that has been working with the Life Sciences industry to improve patient outcomes and the quality of life for more than two decades. With locations in North America, Europe and Asia, our key business segments include Discovery and Development Services (DDS), Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) and Drug Product Manufacturing. Our DDS segment provides comprehensive services from hit identification to IND, including expertise with diverse chemistry, library design and synthesis, in vitro biology and pharmacology, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, as well as natural products. API Manufacturing supports the chemical development and cGMP manufacture of complex API, including potent, controlled substances, biologics, peptides, steroids and cytotoxic compounds. Drug Product Manufacturing supports drug product development through commercial scale production of complex liquid-filled and lyophilized parenteral formulations. For more information about AMRI, please visit our website at www.amriglobal.com or follow us on Twitter (@amriglobal).

About PerkinElmer. PerkinElmer, Inc. is a global leader focused on improving the health and safety of people and the environment. The Company reported revenue of approximately $2.2 billion in 2014, has about 7,700 employees serving customers in more than 150 countries, and is a component of the S&P 500 Index. Additional information is available through 1-877-PKI-NYSE, or at www.perkinelmer.com.

About the BMIC Hub. The Buffalo Medical Innovation and Commercialization Hub (the "BMIC Hub") at Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus is a new public-private pharmaceutical research and development initiative in Buffalo, N.Y. announced by New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo in December 2012. The BMIC Hub is a collaboration that involves SUNY Polytechnic Institute and the State of New York, AMRI, and other industry partners to provide life science discovery services, cutting-edge platforms and expertise to academia and industry from early discovery to candidate selection and beyond.

SUNY Polytechnic Institute. SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) is New York's globally recognized, high-tech educational ecosystem, formed from the merger of the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering and SUNY Institute of Technology. SUNY Poly offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience and nanoengineering, as well as cutting-edge nanobioscience and nanoeconomics programs at its Albany location and undergraduate and graduate degrees in technology, including engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, and the engineering technologies; professional studies, including business, communication, and nursing; and arts and sciences, including natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences at its Utica/Rome location. Thriving athletic, recreational, and cultural programs, events, and activities complement the campus experience. As the world's most advanced, university-driven research enterprise, SUNY Poly boasts more than $20 billion in high-tech investments, over 300 corporate partners, and maintains a statewide footprint. The 1.3 million-square-foot Albany NanoTech megaplex is home to more than 3,500 scientists, researchers, engineers, students, faculty, and staff, in addition to Tech Valley High School. SUNY Poly operates the Smart Cities Technology Innovation Center (SCiTI) at Kiernan Plaza in Albany, the Solar Energy Development Center in Halfmoon, the Central New York Hub for Emerging Nano Industries in Syracuse, the Photovoltaic Manufacturing and Technology Development Facility in Rochester, and the Smart System Technology and Commercialization Center (STC) in Canandaigua. SUNY Poly founded and manages the Computer Chip Commercialization Center (Quad-C) at its Utica location and also manages the $500 million New York Power Electronics Manufacturing Consortium, with nodes in Albany and Rochester, as well as the Buffalo High-Tech Manufacturing Innovation Hub at RiverBend, Buffalo Information Technologies Innovation and Commercialization Hub, and Buffalo Medical Innovation and Commercialization Hub. For information: visit www.sunycnse.com and www.sunypoly.edu.

SOURCE AMRI

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