Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT) announced the global commercial launch of the BD FACSDiscover A7 Cell Analyzer, a spectral flow cytometry instrument designed for use in academic, pharmaceutical, and contract research organization laboratories.

The instrument incorporates BD SpectralFX Technology, which supports up to five lasers and 78 fluorescence detectors, enabling researchers to analyze more than 50 characteristics of a single cell. The A7 expands Waters' existing FACSDiscover platform, which includes the BD FACSDiscover A8 Cell Analyzer.

The A7 includes FACSTruQ Technology, an automated calibration and quality control system that Waters says achieves a coefficient of variation of less than 10% across a palette of more than 50 dyes, based on internal Waters data. The instrument also integrates an autoloader and BD FACSChorus Software with guided workflows.

Cheryl Kim, Senior Director of the Flow Cytometry Core at La Jolla Institute for Immunology, said the instrument "lowers the barrier to advanced spectral flow cytometry" and will support research into immune system disorders.

Steve Conly, Senior Vice President of Waters Biosciences, said the A7 offers "a compelling price-to-performance balance, bringing spectral flow cytometry within reach of more researchers than ever before, for applications from biomarker discovery to drug development."

Waters noted that BD Biosciences remains the legal manufacturer of the product during a regulatory transition period following Waters' acquisition of the BD Biosciences and BD Diagnostic Solutions businesses. Becton, Dickinson and Company retains regulatory responsibility until all required transfers are completed.

The BD FACSDiscover A7 Cell Analyzer is available globally through local representatives.