CHELMSFORD, Mass. and OXFORD, United Kingdom, April 9, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brooks Automation, Inc. (Nasdaq:BRKS), a global provider of automated sample storage solutions to the Life Sciences industry, the University of Oxford and UK Biocentre announced today that Brooks has been selected to provide multiple automated sample management systems, which will form an integral part of a new Bioresource facility. The mission of the facility is to provide high-throughput services to support academic biomedical research in the UK.
The facility will be designed, commissioned and operated by specialist staff from UK Biocentre (the service organization established as part of the pioneering UK Biobank project) that already provides similar services to the academic community.
"Working with the University of Oxford, we will establish a facility offering large-scale automated processing, storage and assay of biological samples. This resource will also provide advice to researchers on best practice for sample collection protocols, data collection and management and upstream quality control," said Dr. Tim Peakman, Chief Executive of UK Biocentre and deputy CEO of UK Biobank. "The centre will provide a major resource for UK academic researchers that ensure samples are collected, stored and processed to high quality and with a robust and secure data trail. It will enable existing studies to be done more cost effectively and new studies to be started that could not have previously been afforded."
"We are proud to be selected as a partner to support the University of Oxford/UK Biocentre initiative," said Dr. Steve Schwartz, CEO of Brooks. "The UK Biobank is recognized as a world leader in sample collection, processing, storage and management, particularly in large population-based studies and UK Biocentre was established to transfer these skills, knowledge and infrastructure to researchers. This partnership highlights the value Brooks Life Science Systems has created through the significant investment we have made in our new automated storage platform. Adoption of these platforms by renowned biobanks and government agencies such as the University of Oxford/UK Biocentre is a validation of our industry leadership in providing total cold chain management solutions."
Brooks Life Science Systems will commission eight automated storage systems to be built on its recently released automated storage platform and will provide five years of services, representing a total value of approximately $15 million. The systems are expected to be installed beginning in the latter part of calendar year 2014 and through the first calendar quarter of 2015.
About UK Biocentre
The skills and knowledge gained in developing UK Biobank have been used to establish UK Biocentre, a wholly-owned UK Biobank subsidiary geared to helping other pioneering health studies. UK Biobank has become a world-leader in biological sample management, as well as the setting up of information systems required to run large, population-based studies. UK Biocentre makes it easier for this knowledge to be passed on to other researchers and organizations, who can also use its state-of-the-art facilities for their own samples – avoiding the need to, and cost of, recreating the system elsewhere.
For further information, please e-mail info@ukbiocentre.com or visit the UK Biocentre website
About University of Oxford
Oxford University's Medical Sciences Division is one of the largest biomedical research centres in Europe, with over 2,500 people involved in research and more than 2,800 students. The University is rated the best in the world for medicine, and it is home to the UK's top-ranked medical school.
From the genetic and molecular basis of disease to the latest advances in neuroscience, Oxford is at the forefront of medical research. It has one of the largest clinical trial portfolios in the UK and great expertise in taking discoveries from the lab into the clinic. Partnerships with the local NHS Trusts enable patients to benefit from close links between medical research and healthcare delivery.
About Brooks Automation, Inc.
Brooks is a leading worldwide provider of automation and cryogenic solutions for multiple markets including semiconductor manufacturing and life sciences. Brooks' technologies, engineering competencies and global service capabilities provide customers speed to market and ensure high uptime and rapid response, which equate to superior value in their mission-critical controlled environments. Since 1978, Brooks has been a leading partner to the global semiconductor manufacturing market and, through product development initiatives and strategic business acquisitions, has expanded offerings to meet the needs of customers in the life sciences industry, analytical & research markets and clean energy solutions. Brooks is headquartered in Chelmsford, MA, with direct operations in North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.brooks.com.
"Safe Harbor Statement" under Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Some statements in this release are forward-looking statements made under Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees but involve risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that could cause Brooks' financial and business results to differ materially from our expectations. They are based on the facts known to management at the time they are made. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the success of the UK Biobank's initiatives, or the timeline of installation of our automated storage systems at the UK Biobank. Factors that could cause results to differ from our expectations include the following: volatility of the industries the Company serves, particularly the semiconductor industry; our possible inability to meet demand for our products due to difficulties in obtaining components and materials from our suppliers in required quantities and of required quality; the inability of customers to make payments to us when due; the timing and effectiveness of cost reduction and cost control measures; price competition; disputes concerning intellectual property; continuing uncertainties in global political and economic conditions, and other factors and other risks that we have described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to our Annual Report on Form 10-K, current reports on Form 8-K and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. As a result we can provide no assurance that our future results will not be materially different from those projected. Brooks expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statement to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Brooks undertakes no obligation to update the information contained in this press release.