Shimadzu, Sony DADC Extend Collaboration

Shimadzu Corp.’s MALDI Business Unit and Sony DADC have extended their collaboration to develop application-specific, individually-barcoded, disposable MALDI targets.

The first of these targets, Fleximass DS disposable MALDI targets, is the result of four years of collaboration between Shimadzu and Sony DADC. They consist of a conductive polymer substrate coated with a thin layer of steel and each target is labeled with a unique barcode. Disposable MALDI targets are used in many applications, where it is essential to ensure that cross-contamination of samples cannot occur. It is also used to archive samples.

Kozo Shimazu, managing director of Kratos Analytical Ltd., a Shimadzu company, said, “As we move into increasingly regulated markets such as medical devices, the need for labs to cost-effectively eliminate the possibility of cross-contamination, and to ensure a robust audit trail, means that it will no longer be possible to use the old style of re-usable metal MALDI targets. New technologies such as Fleximass DS are likely to be a significant factor in the choice of systems and development of new workflows and applications. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Sony DADC to develop the technology into exciting new areas.”

“Here at Sony DADC we feel honored for being selected by an established industry player such as Shimadzu. With Fleximass DS, we have demonstrated that the combination of high precision mass manufacturing processes and advanced material science can lead to cutting-edge and differentiating products. We are certain that this development effort is just the beginning of a partnership, which will continue to anticipate market needs and lead to further product innovations,” said Dieter Daum, president and chief executive officer of Sony DADC.