Millipore opens $50 million R&D center

Millipore (Billerica, Massachusetts), a provider of products and services for improved productivity in the laboratory and biopharmaceutical manufacturing, has opened a new $50 million research and development center in Bedford, Massachusetts.

The 110,000 square foot building contains 47,000 square feet of lab space, and consolidates multiple functions for 500 employees who will work there.

Martin Madaus, CEO and chairman of Millipore, said the center enables the company "to attract scientific talent and bring together multiple research disciplines to develop integrated solutions. These solutions will create value for our biotechnology and pharmaceutical customers and fuel our continued growth as a leader in the life sciences industry."

Millipore is a provider of products and services for improving productivity in biopharmaceutical manufacturing and in clinical, analytical and research laboratories, organized into two divisions: Bioprocess and Bioscience.

Sontra not in Nasdaq compliance

Sontra Medical (Franklin, Massachusetts) said it received a deficiency letter Oct. 17 from the Nasdaq Stock Market indicating it is not in compliance with the continued listing requirements of The Nasdaq Capital Market because for the previous 30 consecutive business days, the bid price had closed below the $1 minimum per share requirement for continued listing. By Nasdaq rule, Sontra will be allowed 180 calendar days to regain compliance with the minimum bid price rule. The letter from Nasdaq has no effect on the listing of Sontra Medical's common stock.

Sontra has 180 calendar days to regain compliance by having the bid price of its common stock close at $1 per share or more for at least 10 consecutive business days. If it does not regain compliance by April 16 it will be issued a delisting letter.

Sontra Medical develops a non-invasive, continuous transdermal glucose monitor targeting the Intensive Care market and Sontra makes products for transdermal delivery of large molecule drugs and vaccines.

Matritech facing possible AMEX delisting

Matritech (Newton, Massachusetts), a marketer and developer of protein-based diagnostic products for the early detection of cancer, said that it has filed a plan with the American Stock Exchange (AMEX) outlining the actions it proposes to take to bring it into compliance no later than March 21, 2008 with AMEX's listing standards.

Matritech previously reported that it had been informed that it was not in compliance with AMEX's continued listing standards but was allowed to submit a compliance plan by Oct. 23.

If AMEX accepts the plan, the company may be able to continue its listing for up to 18 months, during which time it will undergo periodic review concerning progress. If there is no progress, AMEX can initiate delisting proceedings.

First commercial installation of Innova IVUS

GE Healthcare (Waukesha, Wisconsin) and Volcano (Rancho Cordova, California) reported the first commercial installation of Innova IVUS at PinnacleHealth Heart and Vascular Institute at Harrisburg Hospital (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) is complete.

Innova IVUS is GE Healthcare's custom integration of Volcano's s5i IVUS imaging system with the Innova all-digital X-ray cath lab imaging system. Innova IVUS optimizes clinical workflow by offering IVUS controls on the Innova Central bedside touchscreen. Data exchange between the IVUS system and Innova allows for automatic patient data transfer from Innova for IVUS cases and advanced archiving that links IVUS cases to cath cases.

Volcano's s5i product uses a new PC-based platform that reduces the size, weight and noise of the older generation IVUS consoles. This allows the unit to be located in the control room or in other areas outside of the daily traffic pattern of the cath lab. Clinicians have the ability to control the IVUS system through a variety of control devices located at the patient bedside, at the point of care, or both. Clinicians also have the flexibility to view IVUS images on the existing monitor bank, a separate dedicated IVUS monitor, and/or on a monitor in the control room.

GE and Volcano also reported GE's plans to include the cabling required to operate Volcano's IVUS technology on all future U.S. installations of GE Healthcare's Innova imaging systems. The inclusion of IVUS cabling as part of the standard installation creates the infrastructure required to operate Innova IVUS.

GE Healthcare provides transformational medical technologies and offers a broad range of products and services intended to improve productivity in healthcare and enhance patient care.

Volcano offers a suite of devices used during endovascular procedures.