BioCision and Brooks Joint Development Partnership to Unveil New Cryogenic Sample Handling and Transport Product

BioCision, LLC, a leader in advanced technology to improve biomaterial sample handling and standardization and Brooks Automation (Nasdaq:BRKS), a global provider of automated sample storage systems for compound management and biorepositories, today announced their collaborative research and development agreement to improve the handling and transport of valuable biospecimens stored in liquid nitrogen is progressing to the commercialization stage.

The co-development project between BioCision and Brooks began in mid-2014 with the goal of providing tools that enable more rigorous collection, handling, and transporting of temperature-sensitive specimens and therapeutics. Current methods, including placing samples stored at liquid nitrogen temperature (-196 C) onto dry ice, which is considerably higher in temperature at -78 C, or utilizing makeshift transporters such as pans with loose liquid nitrogen, leave samples vulnerable to drastic temperature shifts and potentially place operators at risk with insufficient safeguards in place for handling loose liquid nitrogen. The result of this collaboration will be revealed at the upcoming 2015 meeting of the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER).

“Our experience with cell therapy, pharmaceutical and biobanking customers validates the need for standardization tools for the handling of samples to and from liquid nitrogen storage,” said Dr. Rolf O. Ehrhardt, CEO of BioCision. “It is rewarding to be able to bring this solution to the market with Brooks Automation. While the launch at ISBER will be a great moment for both of our companies, it will also be an important milestone in improving the cold chain for biorepository specimens and the therapeutic last mile.”

Dusty Tenney, President of Brooks Automation Life Science Systems said, “Consistency and standardization across the entire cold chain are critical to the collection, handling, and transporting of samples as part of an automated biobanking workflow. By working together with BioCision, a proven leader in bringing innovative solutions for temperature-sensitive workflows to market, we were able to define and develop a unique solution that improves sample temperature control and operator safety.”

BioCision and Brooks will exhibit at the 2015 ISBER annual meeting May 5 - 9, 2015 in Phoenix, Ariz. BioCision will be exhibiting in booths 519 and 521, and Brooks will be in booths 313 and 412.

About BioCision, LLC

BioCision is a life science research and development company that develops products and solutions for process standardization throughout the healthcare industry through the application of advanced thermal regulation principles and technologies. The intuitive design and interconnectivity of BioCision products enables researchers, clinicians and manufacturers to protect the integrity of temperature-sensitive therapeutics, biological samples, and biomaterials. By addressing temperature stability, BioCision strives to improve the success of therapeutic discovery and development and enable effective care delivery.

About Brooks Automation

Brooks is a leading worldwide provider of automation, vacuum, and instrumentation solutions for multiple markets including semiconductor manufacturing, life sciences, and clean energy. Our 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, we have been a leading partner to the global semiconductor manufacturing market and through product development initiatives and strategic business acquisitions; we have expanded our reach to meet the needs of customers in the life sciences industry, analytical & research markets, and clean energy solutions. Brooks is headquartered in Chelmsford, Mass., with direct operations in North America, Europe, and Asia. For more information, please visit www.brooks.com.

For more information visit www.biocision.com, or visit the BioCision blog for news and expert insight at http://blog.biocision.com/.