July 26, 2007 — ANN ARBOR, MI, and WEST CHESTER, PA — Assay Designs, Inc., a leading provider of immunoassay kits, antibodies, and reagents to the life sciences and translational research markets, and VWR International, LLC, a leading global distributor of scientific equipment, supplies, chemicals, and furniture, have announced a new distribution agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, VWR will offer North American customers a variety of Assay Designs’ products. Customers will immediately be able to obtain Assay Designs products through VWR.
The new relationship will strengthen both companies’ ability to reach and support customers. VWR targets an important customer base in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, which will assist Assay Designs with customer service, wider product distribution, and obtaining stronger customer relationships.
Michael Melnick, chief commercialization officer at Assay Designs, says, “VWR will play a critical role in our advancement in the industry. They have a strong hold in the life science industry and we are looking forward to building a successful relationship with VWR.”
“We are pleased to add Assay Designs to our portfolio of Life Science products and services,” says John D’Errico, category manager, life science, at VWR. “This agreement will continue to strengthen VWR’s ability to provide systems solutions for the best life science research products to our customers.”
About Assay Designs, Inc.
Based in Ann Arbor, MI, Assay Designs develops, manufactures and markets immunoassay (ELISA) kits, antibodies, and proteins that are used for life sciences research. The company markets these products under the “Assay Designs” and “Stressgen” brand names. Researchers use the company’s products to detect and quantify molecules that are important in inflammation, heat shock, cell signaling, and oxidative stress.
About VWR International, LLC
VWR International is a leader in the global research laboratory industry with worldwide sales in excess of $3 billion US dollars. VWR’s business is highly diversified across products and services, geographic regions, and customer segments. The company offers products from a wide range of manufacturers, to a large number of customers primarily in North America, Europe and other locations. VWR’s principal customers are major pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical, technology, clinical, food processing, and consumer product companies, universities and research institutes, governmental agencies, environmental testing organizations, and primary and secondary schools. VWR distributes a diversified product mix, including chemicals, glassware and plasticware, equipment and instruments, furniture, protective apparel, production and safety products, and other life science and laboratory products and supplies. VWR supports its customers by providing storeroom management, product procurement, supply chain systems integration, technical services and laboratory bench top delivery. VWR maintains operations in more than20 countries and employs more than 6,000 people worldwide. VWR International is headquartered in West Chester, PA.
For more information on VWR International, visit www.vwr.com.