INVITROGEN BOLSTERS LEADING POSITION IN RNAi RESEARCH

Carlsbad, Calif., Sept. 9, 2003— Invitrogen Corporation (Nasdaq: IVGN), a provider of technologies for disease research and the leader in delivery of siRNA, today expanded its solutions for RNA interference (RNAi) with the introduction of the BLOCK-iT™ RNAi family of products. The BLOCK-iT™ RNAi family includes custom synthetic short-interfering RNA (siRNA), a Dicer system, a transfection kit and a transcription kit. This product suite will drive the understanding of genes and proteins by providing an easy, effective platform to study the effects of turning genes “off.”

RNAi has rapidly become one of the most chosen techniques in drug discovery research. Using RNAi technology, scientists can turn genes “off,” enabling them to observe a cell’s behavior in the absence of the targeted gene’s protein product. This may lead to better understanding of disease mechanisms and eventually, better therapies. 

“RNAi is changing the way scientists look at drug development,” said Dr. John Carrino, Invitrogen’s Chief Scientist.  “To truly take advantage of this new technology, researchers need a complete system that keeps up with their evolving applications. Invitrogen’s BLOCK-iT™ RNAi platform provides the total solution they need to drive their discovery efforts.”

The BLOCK-iT™ RNAi platform builds upon the success of the industry-leading solutions for delivery of siRNA—Invitrogen’s Lipofectamine™ 2000 and Oligofectamine™ transfection reagents. 

“As the foremost innovator in life science, we are re-shaping drug discovery with total solutions in key areas of emerging research,” said Invitrogen Senior Vice President, R&D, Claude Benchimol. “We have seen the impact that RNAi is making and have responded with the industry’s leading family of products.  We will continue to provide innovative additions to the BLOCK-iT™ platform to lead researchers to new levels in RNAi research.”

The BLOCK-iT™ RNAi family strengthens Invitrogen’s position as the essential partner in drug discovery research.  Invitrogen’s myriad solutions in biological discovery, biological production systems and bio-informatics provide scientists with an operating system to help them solve the puzzle of human disease.

“The BLOCK-iT™ platform’s total solution to RNAi research exemplifies our commitment to providing breakthrough innovations that enable scientists to push the limits of discovery,” said Invitrogen’s President and CEO, Gregory T. Lucier.  “RNAi will yield some of the most important advances in drug discovery in the coming years. Invitrogen will be the company making them possible.”

For more information on the BLOCK-iT™ RNAi line of products, visit www.invitrogen.com/RNAi

source from invitrogen