HOPKINTON, Mass. and BRANFORD, Conn., March 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Caliper Life Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq :CALP ) and HistoRx, Inc., today announced a collaboration to co-develop a new generation of tissue-based imaging and analysis solutions, based on immuno-fluorescence, that will deliver accurate, quantitative, and reproducible measurements of proteins in tissue samples.  The collaboration will enable researchers to leverage the combined imaging and analysis power of Caliper's Vectra™, an automated multiplexed tissue imaging platform, and AQUA® technology, HistoRx's proprietary image analysis system, to provide an integrated platform to advance the identification and validation of new drug targets and improve assessment of drug response.  

"The Vectra system from Caliper represents a significant move forward for researchers interested in digital pathology with multispectral, brightfield, and fluorescent capabilities," said Bill Sullivan, Senior Vice President of Operations at HistoRx.  "By matching AQUA technology's intensity-based quantitative measurement with Caliper's market leading multispectral imaging capabilities, users will be afforded a level of quality and performance that is unparalleled.  Caliper is therefore a natural partner for HistoRx in bringing reproducible and truly quantitative immunohistochemistry to the anatomic pathology laboratory."  

"The combination of Caliper and HistoRx technologies enables an unprecedented level of objective and accurate diagnosis that is currently lacking, both on the research level as well as the clinical level," said Kevin Hrusovsky, President and Chief Executive Officer of Caliper Life Sciences.  "We see an opportunity to bring a comprehensive solution to the research market to help expand scientists' options for capturing key disease signatures and to aid in the development of new drugs and new strategies to battle cancer."

Under the agreement, Caliper will have exclusive worldwide distribution rights for the integrated product in the life sciences research market as the companies continue to explore additional collaborative opportunities in clinical research and diagnostics.  The AQUA technology is complimentary to Caliper's inForm™ image analysis software, a flexible investigative tool using trainable pattern recognition algorithms, providing multi-analyte, per-cell quantification in FFPE tissues.  AQUA provides a simple-to-use, pre-configured and automated quantification of single biomarkers, using validated AQUA multi-label kits, producing platform-independent AQUA 'scores'.  Together, they provide a comprehensive suite of tools to correlate protein expressions with disease progression, clinical outcome or response to therapy.

Caliper expects to launch the AQUA enabled Vectra platform in August of 2011.

About Caliper Life Sciences

Caliper Life Sciences is a premier provider of cutting-edge technologies enabling researchers in the life sciences industry to create life-saving and enhancing medicines and diagnostic tests more quickly and efficiently. Caliper is aggressively innovating new technology to bridge the gap between in vitro assays and in vivo results, enabling the translation of those results into cures for human disease. Caliper's portfolio of offerings includes state-of-the-art microfluidics, lab automation and liquid handling, optical imaging technologies, and discovery and development outsourcing solutions. For more information please visit www.caliperLS.com.

About HistoRx, Inc.

HistoRx, Inc. is a leading developer of tissue-based diagnostic solutions to advance individualized patient care. The company's products and services are based on proprietary analysis of tissue biomarkers using AQUA technology. AQUA technology is the only platform capable of precisely measuring protein biomarker concentration with sub-cellular resolution in tissue sections, enabling fully objective, standardized, reproducible, and automated analysis to guide drug development and therapeutic decision-making. HistoRx is commercializing a pipeline of proprietary diagnostic products targeting improved treatment decision-making and patient outcomes in cancer care. For more information, please visit www.historx.com.

The statements in this press release regarding future events, including the statement that Caliper expects to launch the AQUA enabled Vectra platform in August of 2011, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including that Caliper may encounter unexpected problems in integrating its Vectra system with HistoRx's AQUA technology.  Further information on risks faced by Caliper are detailed under the caption "Risks Related To Our Business" in Caliper's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. Our filings are available on a web site maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov. Caliper does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking or other statements in this release or the conference call.

NOTE:  Caliper is registered trademark and Vectra and inForm are trademarks of Caliper Life Sciences, Inc.  AQUA is a registered trademark of HistoRx, Inc.  

SOURCE Caliper Life Sciences, Inc.