In July 1999, Endogen was acquired by PerBio Science AB, a subsidiary of the Swedish Perstorp group. Endogen, Inc. develops, manufactures and sells products for the life science market, specializing in cytokines and chemokines, the chemical messengers of the immune system. Endogen's products are used in a wide variety of biomedical research settings to investigate the underlying immunological mechanisms of diseases including cancer, AIDS, inflammation and autoimmune disorders. Endogen was one of the pioneers in recognizing the importance of the cytokine product niche and today produces the fastest and most accurate kits for measuring cytokines, growth factors, chemokines and other key immune system proteins. Endogen markets a full product line of 54 immunoassay test kits and over 360 specialty reagents. In 1998, Endogen expanded its product offerings with the introduction of proprietary technologies for quantification of messenger RNA ("mRNA"). Messenger RNA molecules convey genetic signals that are stored as DNA in the nucleus to the cell's protein synthesis system. They link genetic signals to the production of certain proteins that render all cellular functions. Endogen's Xplore® assay kits provide rapid and accurate measurement of gene expression through the detection of mRNA levels in aprecise and easy-to-use 96-well assay format.
