Customer-Centered Innovation Fuels Growth!

Christopher Silva, Vice President, Marketing

I would like to thank you, our Octet customers, for your loyalty and support during 2009. I am pleased to report that in the last year, despite the challenging economic times, ForteBio achieved all of its intended major milestones and continued its high, double-digit growth. This growth was fueled largely by the launch of several innovative products, which, in tandem with our focus on customer support, were rewarded with strong acceptance by our customers. Furthermore, our market position as the number 2 instrumentation provider in the label-free biosensor sector was confirmed this month by Strategic Directions International (SDi), a leading market analysis firm for analytical and life sciences instruments.

Our biggest 2009 milestone was the launch of the Octet 384 system series, which is proving popular based on rapidly growing sales. Octet 384 systems perform protein-protein, antibody, peptide, small molecule and fragment binding assays using simultaneous 16-channel detection, 384-well microplate capability, re-racking of biosensors and integration to robots. These features enable low assay volumes of 40 µL, fast time-to-results, high sample throughput and reduced running costs. Octet 384 systems have been integrated to robots from Tecan, Hamilton Robotics and Hudson Robotics.

Another major milestone was expanding and strengthening our Dip and Read™ biosensor assay offerings for biotherapeutics development and bioprocess markets. The newly launched generic kit for immunogenicity, the kit for residual protein A contamination detection and the biosensor for direct HIS-tagged protein quantitation have all found eager users. Finally, during the latter part of 2009, we initiated our Custom Biosensor Assay Development Service in response to customer requests to develop proprietary assays for Octet users. We have received contracts to develop custom assays and will be strengthening our organization’s structure to expand this capability.

Further, at Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s (CHI) PepTalk conference in San Diego earlier this month, we launched the Octet QK^e — an 8-channel system with a high-performance spectrometer, variable acquisition rates and the ability to re-rack biosensors. The Octet QK^e system is significantly more sensitive than the first generation Octet QK system, enabling analysis of very small proteins and peptides. Biosensor re-racking enables assay workflow flexibility and decreases running costs. All signs point towards the Octet QK^e becoming our most popular entry-level system.

Looking ahead, in 2010 we plan to launch three more biosensor chemistries as well as new hardware and software capabilities to expand our current solutions. Lastly, you may have noticed that ForteBio has enhanced its customer communications and feedback mechanisms. We’ve added “Quick Links” to www.fortebio.com web pages, enabling you to suggest new types of biosensors, read product and company updates, contact Customer Support, request a quote and view a list of upcoming conferences where ForteBio representatives would welcome the opportunity to meet with you.

We look forward to hearing from each of you during this year and plan to support your next critical application.