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09/28/2007
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| Lonza Group Ltd (SWX: LONN), the global life sciences company, announces the introduction of the microCompassTM System, a patented breakthrough technology in microbiology testing. |
Lonza will be the first bioscience company to provide a molecular testing method to attain a viable count of microorganisms in as little as four hours. The microCompass™ system dramatically increases the speed for microbiology testing, as compared to standard methods which require typically 3-14 days.
“We are truly delighted to offer same day microbiology testing with the microCompass™ System. This is a huge step forward and proves Lonza to be an industry leader in innovations for rapid microbial detection solutions, a natural expansion from our leading position in the endotoxin detection market”, said Shawn Cavanagh, President, Lonza Bioscience.
This unique technology provides genetics based results for enhanced accuracy. Specifically targeting RNA, microCompass™ offers improved sensitivity and detection of viable organisms without pre-enrichment. The system allows quantitative detection of bacteria, yeast and mold at a high throughput-level by batching up to 96 samples at a time.
Quick time to results (TTR) with microCompass™ enables significant labor and cost savings, as well as delivers more rapid product release to the market. These benefits allow for an appreciable increase in client profitability.
The microCompass™ system is ideal for applications in personal care products, pharmaceutical raw materials, over-the-counter drugs, nutraceuticals, compressed gases, pasteurized and UHT products, water and beverages.
SUEZ Environment through its french subsidiary Lyonnaise des Eaux , a global supplier of water services, has implemented the microCompass™ System in multiple locations to provide rapid monitoring of beach water. With the directive 2006/7/EEC, the European Union has fixed new stricter standards (compliance and maximum allowable values of 250 and 500 E. coli per 100ml respectively) that are almost related to those actually recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “The microCompass™ System is integral to our commitment to satisfy the needs of local authorities to meet expanding environmental standards while simultaneously pursuing a strategy of sustained development,” shared Diane D’Arras, SUEZ Environment, Research and Development Director. ”The microCompass™ System is the suitable system capable of providing results within four hours without any cultivation step that will meet the proposed new standards for bacterial contamination of bathing waters.”
Application laboratories for microCompass™ are located in Walkersville, MD (USA) and in Saint Beauzire, France.
microCompass™ offers accurate testing in far less time than traditional systems. Information on this breakthrough technology in microbiology testing can be found on http://www.lonzabioscience.com/content/bioscience/industmicro.id.2621. Various media images are available for download at www.lonza.com/microcompass. Customers with questions are encouraged to contact Deborah Thompson, Sr. Product Manager, Lonza at (301) 898-7025 x2414.
About Lonza
Lonza is one of the world's leading suppliers to the pharmaceutical, healthcare and life science industries. Its products and services span its customers’ needs from research to final product manufacture. Lonza is the global leader in the production and support of active pharmaceutical ingredients both chemically as well as biotechnologically. Biopharmaceuticals are one of the key growth drivers of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Lonza has strong capabilities in large and small molecules, peptides, amino acids and niche bioproducts which play an important role in the development of novel medicines and healthcare products. Lonza is a leader in cell-based research, endotoxin detection and cell therapy manufacturing. Lonza is also a leading provider of value chemical and biotech ingredients to the nutrition, hygiene, preservation, agro and personal care markets.
Lonza is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland and is listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange. In 2006, Lonza had sales of CHF 2.91 billion. Further information can be found at www.lonza.com.
For further information:
Investor / Media Relations Lonza
Janet White
Tel +41 61 316 8566
Fax +41 61 316 9566
janet.white@lonza.com
Media Relations Lonza
Dominik Werner
Tel +41 61 316 8798
Fax +41 61 316 9798
dominik.werner@lonza.com
Investor Relations Lonza
Alexandre Pasini
Tel +41 61 316 8835
Fax +41 61 316 9835
alexandre.pasini@lonza.com
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