Product News: Frost & Sullivan Lauds LI-COR Biosciences for Developing NIR Fluorescence, One of the Most Remarkable Advancements in the Biomedical Industry

Based on its recent analysis of the in-vivo molecular imaging market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes LI-COR Biosciences with the 2013 North American Frost & Sullivan Award for Technology Leadership for its near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence technologies. LI-COR has joined hands with various institutions and organizations to achieve a smooth interaction among instruments, kits, and reagents providers.

"As NIR can penetrate depths of several centimeters, it improves the sensitivity of images. It also enables labs to eliminate image processing for spectral unmixing, as the NIR wavelength range has low tissue autofluorescence,” said Frost & Sullivan Senior Research Analyst Cecilia Van Cauwenberghe. "These natural advantages of NIR make it ideal for early detection of diseases and, eventually, enhancement of therapeutic protocols."

The appropriate targeting agents for NIR optical imaging can be selected based on well-characterization and specificity in the evaluated compounds. LI-COR Biosciences offers a range of ready-to-use IRDye optical probes capable of targeting a variety of diseases. The IRDye 800CW infrared dye, a fluorescent label developed for numerous targeting agents, including peptides, small molecules, antibodies, antibody drugs, Affibody® molecules, and viruses, has been widely adopted and cited in scientific literature. These agents are compatible with most NIR fluorescence imagers.

BrightSite™ agents, another leading optical imaging tool from LI-COR, allow researchers to begin their experiments without developing new imaging probes. BrightSite™ agents are rigorously validated to ensure high purity, affinity, and specificity.

LI-COR also developed its proprietary Pearl® Impulse Imager, which has been optimized for dual-channel NIR optical imaging. This technology, based on laser excitation, can offer visuals of smaller targets at greater depths.

LI-COR's FieldBrite™ Xi optical design is another remarkable imaging technology that provides optimized, saturation-free images in 10 seconds, thus offering ease of use, high performance, and affordable images that can be used by both inexperienced and experienced optical imaging workers. This technology does away with the need for manual exposure adjustments and repeated exposures to ensure repeatability.

The company has diversified both its biotechnology and environmental product lines. Its expertise in visible and IR markers has significantly enhanced several instruments and applications in biological research. Its proprietary technology seamlessly integrates hardware, software, and labeling technologies to help users perform novel research.

"With global presence and leadership, LI-COR Biosciences is committed to delivering novel and innovative solutions in the life sciences and preclinical industry," noted LI-COR Senior Strategic Marketing Manager, Jim Wiley. "LI-COR continues to develop outstanding technology approaches while establishing a solid collaboration network with service providers and developers, with the aim of providing its customers with well-suited solutions."

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has demonstrated uniqueness in developing a technology that significantly impacts both the functionality and the customer value of new products and applications. The award lauds the relevance of the innovation to the industry.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.