Epitomics, Inc. Announces Worldwide Availability of LRRK2 Antibodies Developed in Partnership With The Michael J. Fox Foundation

BURLINGAME, Calif., Sept. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Epitomics, Inc. today announced that The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF) has chosen the company to distribute a panel of LRRK2 monoclonal antibodies that were developed under an agreement between the two parties. Under a special arrangement the antibodies are being provided at low cost to the entire PD research community to help advance LRRK2 therapeutic development efforts. The antibodies will be available to Parkinson's researchers in academic/nonprofit and industry labs on a worldwide basis.

"After a successful project to develop these LRRK2 antibodies, we are very pleased that MJFF has also chosen Epitomics to now distribute these important antibodies to the research community going forward," said Guo-Liang Yu, CEO of Epitomics. "We are happy to support this important area of research and lend a hand in helping researchers develop LRRK2 based therapies."  

"LRRK2 antibodies are critical to help move Parkinson's research forward," said Mark Frasier, PhD, associate director of research programs at MJFF. "The three unique clones chosen for initial release were identified based on several months of testing by our large network of PD researchers. Epitomics has been a great partner and we are excited that they will continue to help MJFF remove barriers to developing Parkinson's therapies."

How to Obtain LRRK2 Antibodies

These antibodies can be ordered directly from Epitomics. Detailed product information can be found on Epitomics Web site at www.epitomics.com.

About LRRK2 and LRRK2 Antibodies

LRRK2 is a Parkinson's-implicated gene discovered in 2004 that is now believed to be the single greatest genetic contributor to the disease. While it is the focus of intensive research in the Parkinson's field, a major roadblock to the successful development of LRRK2-based therapies has been the lack of high-quality LRRK2 antibodies. Antibodies are used by researchers to identify where proteins can be found in the body, how they behave in cells and how to manipulate their activity. In 2009 MJFF engaged Epitomics to generate several highly sensitive and specific LRRK2 antibodies in large amounts.

Further scientific information and discussion on the LRRK2 antibodies can be found at the PD Online Research Web site at www.pdonlineresearch.org.

About Epitomics, Inc.

Epitomics, Inc is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing breakthrough monoclonal antibody technology for research and diagnostic applications. The Company's core technology is its unique and proprietary RabMAb® (Rabbit Monoclonal Antibody) technology which produces antibodies with superior binding affinity and bioactivity in a wide variety of biological assays.  

About The Michael J. Fox Foundation

The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to ensuring the development of better treatments, and ultimately a cure, for Parkinson's disease through an aggressively funded research agenda. MJFF has funded almost $196 million in research to date.

SOURCE Epitomics, Inc.