Proteome licenses TMT technology to Thermo Fisher Scientific

Under the terms of the license, Proteome Sciences will manufacture its patented TMTA reagents exclusively for Thermo Fisher Scientific, which will market and sell them worldwide through the Thermo Scientific Pierce product line. Proteome Sciences expects double-digit growth in the market for isobaric tandem mass tags and will receive signature fees, contract manufacturing payments and royalties on sales with additional sales from the license.

The earliest TMTA patents extend to 2021, and the license agreement enables Thermo Fisher Scientific to provide third-party commercial licenses for use of any type of isobaric tandem mass tags. In addition, Proteome Sciences retains the use of TMTA for its own research as well as custom labeling and assay development for its customers using TMTcalibrator and TMTAReference Materials under its ProteoSHOPA services division.

Isobaric tandem mass tags are used in scientific research, diagnostics and pharmaceutical development for biomarker discovery, validation and assay development. They also represent an important step forward in analysis of proteins by mass spectrometry.

Ian Jardine, vice president of global R&D at Thermo Fisher Scientific, said: “We intend to have TMTA products available in the market during the second quarter of the year, fully supported by our strong sales and marketing organization.”