University of Paris Researchers Utilize Fluidigm Mass Cytometry and Maxpar Direct Immune Profiling Assay to Identify Distinc...
May 19 2020 - 8:30AM
Fluidigm Corporation (Nasdaq:FLDM), an innovative
biotechnology tools provider with a vision to improve life through
comprehensive health insight, today announced that researchers at
the University of Paris have utilized mass cytometry to identify
profound changes in the immune systems of critically ill COVID-19
patients. The findings may help define a population of COVID-19
patients at high risk for becoming critically ill, and they suggest
a possible benefit from anti-inflammatory therapies.
The study, available online through medRxiv and pending peer
review, utilized the Fluidigm® Maxpar® Direct™ Immune Profiling
Assay™ and Maxpar Pathsetter™ analysis software. The assay offers a
fixed panel of 30 standard markers of immune activity, to which the
researchers added two exploratory markers. Analyses of multiple
markers revealed changes in the populations of different types of
immune cells, and most important, to their antiviral response in 50
patients with varying disease severity. “The immunological features
and molecular mechanisms involved in COVID-19 are as yet not
well-understood, and we urgently need a deeper understanding across
the different stages of the disease,” said Dr. Benjamin Terrier,
MD, PhD, Department of Internal Medicine, National Referral Center
for Rare Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Public Assistance Hospitals
of Paris-Center, University of Paris. “A means to identify groups
at high risk for severe COVID-19 could provide valuable insights
into effective approaches to treatment.”
All patients were tested 8 to 12 days following the onset of
symptoms and in the absence of anti-inflammatory therapy. In-depth
profiling of immune cell populations and their respective functions
using mass cytometry, gene expression studies and evaluation of the
levels of proteins secreted by the cells found that profound
impairment of type I interferon (IFN) activity was unique to
critically ill patients. This suggests that type I IFN deficiency
is a hallmark of severe COVID-19 and that these patients could
benefit from anti-inflammatory therapies targeting IL-6 or TNF-a
inflammatory cytokines.
“A rapidly emerging body of data demonstrates the value of mass
cytometry and our Maxpar Direct Immune Profiling Assay in studies
that provide critical and potentially actionable insights for
approaches to COVID-19 therapy,” said Chris Linthwaite, President
and CEO of Fluidigm. “Accurate and meaningful assessments of
diverse biomarkers that have diagnostic, prognostic or therapeutic
value are essential in addressing the unique and urgent challenges
of this global health crisis.
“Speed is equally critical,” Linthwaite said. “The team at
University of Paris, using our standardized, pre-designed and
optimized kit, was able to go from experiment conception to
pre-print publication in 25 days. We are committed to supporting
researchers around the globe with tools and technologies to
effectively respond to the global pandemic, both in
state-of-the-art immune profiling of patients and in virus
detection in populations.”
The online archive medRxiv was founded by Cold Spring Harbor
Laboratory, a not-for-profit research and educational institution,
Yale University, and BMJ, a global health care knowledge provider.
It provides a platform for researchers to share their work and
comment and receive feedback on it prior to journal
publication.
About FluidigmFluidigm (Nasdaq:FLDM)
focuses on the most pressing needs in translational and clinical
research, including cancer, immunology, and immunotherapy. Using
proprietary CyTOF® and microfluidics technologies, we develop,
manufacture, and market multi-omic solutions to drive meaningful
insights in health and disease, identify biomarkers to inform
decisions, and accelerate the development of more effective
therapies. Our customers are leading academic, government,
pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and plant and animal research
laboratories worldwide. Together with them, we strive to increase
the quality of life for all. For more information,
visit fluidigm.com.
Fluidigm, the Fluidigm logo, CyTOF, Direct, Immune
Profiling Assay, Maxpar, and Pathsetter are trademarks and/or
registered trademarks of Fluidigm Corporation in the
United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are
the sole property of their respective owners. Fluidigm products are
provided for Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic
procedures.
Forward-Looking Statements for FluidigmThis
press release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,
including, among others, statements regarding the potential value
of and demand for Fluidigm’s mass cytometry technology and products
for COVID-19-related applications. Forward-looking statements are
subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from currently anticipated results,
including but not limited to risks relating to the potential
adverse effects of the coronavirus pandemic on our business and
operating results during 2020; challenges inherent in developing,
manufacturing, launching, marketing, and selling new products;
risks relating to company research and development and distribution
plans and capabilities; interruptions or delays in the supply of
components or materials for, or manufacturing of, Fluidigm
products; potential product performance and quality issues;
intellectual property risks; and competition. Information on these
and additional risks and uncertainties and other information
affecting Fluidigm business and operating results is
contained in Fluidigm’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2019, and in its other filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date
hereof. Fluidigm disclaims any obligation to update these
forward-looking statements except as may be required by law.
Available InformationWe use our website
(fluidigm.com), investor site (investors.fluidigm.com), corporate
Twitter account (@fluidigm), Facebook page (facebook.com/Fluidigm),
and LinkedIn page (linkedin.com/company/fluidigm-corporation) as
channels of distribution of information about our products, our
planned financial and other announcements, our attendance at
upcoming investor and industry conferences, and other matters. Such
information may be deemed material information, and we may use
these channels to comply with our disclosure obligations under
Regulation FD. Therefore, investors should monitor our website and
our social media accounts in addition to following our press
releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, and webcasts.
Contacts: Media: Mark Spearman
Senior Director, Corporate Communications 650 243
6621mark.spearman@fluidigm.com
Investors: Agnes Lee Vice President, Investor
Relations 650 416 7423 agnes.lee@fluidigm.com
Fluidigm (NASDAQ:FLDM)
Historical Stock Chart
From Aug 2024 to Sep 2024
Fluidigm (NASDAQ:FLDM)
Historical Stock Chart
From Sep 2023 to Sep 2024