[0] Applied Biosystems and Millipore Form Strategic Alliance to Develop Consumable Products for Proteomics Research.

Business/Technology Editors & Health/Medical Writers

FOSTER CITY, Calif. & BEDFORD, Mass.--(BW HealthWire)--Dec. 18, 2000

Applied Biosystems Group (NYSE: ABI), a business of Applera Corporation, formerly PE Corporation, and Millipore Corporation (NYSE: MIL) announced today that they have entered into an agreement to jointly develop and market next-generation sample preparation consumables for high-throughput proteomics.

The agreement will establish a collaboration intended to leverage Applied Biosystems proteomics expertise, including mass spectrometry systems, with Millipore strengths in consumable sample preparation technologies aimed at removing and purifying proteins from tissue, serum or other sources prior to analysis. Sample preparation, a key component of an integrated system solution, is expected to become increasingly important as the scale of proteomics research expands and breakthroughs in throughput and cost per analysis enable more researchers to undertake large-scale protein research.

"As the throughput of our mass spectrometry systems increases, new, cost-efficient sample preparation strategies will be required to keep pace," said Michael W. Hunkapiller, Ph.D., president of Applied Biosystems. "Millipore has over twenty years of experience in sample preparation and a novel suite of products and technology platforms. Integration of those products and platforms with proteomics systems from Applied Biosystems should move us toward our goal of providing unique and powerful research systems to further enable protein analysis. In addition, new consumables should help build the recurring revenue portion of our mass spectrometry business."

"We are very excited about our joint development and marketing agreement with Applied Biosystems," said Fran Lunger, chief operating officer of Millipore. "They are a leader in proteomics analysis systems. By working closely with them on the next generation of sample preparation devices, we should ensure compatibility with instrumentation, and, more importantly, provide better ease-of-use and enhanced productivity for life science researchers."

Millipore is developing new sample preparation technologies and tools for genomics, proteomics and drug development, building on its current strengths in low-sample-volume protein sample preparation and DNA sample preparation. Millipore's R&D groups are leveraging their expertise in membrane, ultrafiltration and chromatography technologies and in innovative device manufacturing. Millipore's technology is used on the life science lab bench for research and discovery, and in the scale-up center and manufacturing plant for bringing new biotech therapeutics to market.

Millipore is a multinational, high technology company that applies its purification technology to critical research and manufacturing applications in the microelectronics and biosciences industries. For more information go to www.millipore.com.

Applera Corporation, formerly PE Corporation, comprises two operating groups. The Applied Biosystems Group develops and markets instrument-based systems, reagents, software and contract services to the life science industry and research community. Customers use these tools to analyze nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and proteins in order to make scientific discoveries, develop new pharmaceuticals and conduct standardized testing. Applied Biosystems is headquartered in Foster City, CA and reported sales of $1.4 billion during fiscal 2000. The Celera Genomics Group (NYSE: CRA), headquartered in Rockville, MD, intends to become the definitive source of genomic and related medical information. Information about the Company, including reports and other information filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is available on the worldwide web at www.applera.com or by phoning 800-762-6923.

The PE Corporation name change to Applera Corporation became effective November 30. This new name is a combination of the names of the company's two operating businesses, the Applied Biosystems Group and the Celera Genomics Group.

The PE Biosystems Group name change to the Applied Biosystems Group also became effective November 30, and its stock symbol on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) changed from PEB to ABI at the opening of trading that day. The NYSE symbol for the Celera Genomics Group remains CRA. Applera Corporation changed its web address from www.pecorporation.com to www.applera.com effective November 30.

For Millipore Corporation: The matters discussed herein, as well as in future oral and written statements by management of Millipore Corporation that are forward-looking statements, are based on current management expectations that involve substantial risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties that could affect the Company's future operating results include, without limitation, successful separation of the microelectronics and biosciences businesses; foreign exchange rates; increased regulatory concerns on the part of the biopharmaceutical industry; further consolidation of drug manufacturers; competitive factors such as new membrane technology, and/or a new method of chip manufacture which relies less heavily on purified chemicals and gases; availability of raw materials or component products on a timely basis; inventory risks due to shifts in market demand; change in product mix; conditions in the economy in general, and in the microelectronics and biosciences markets in particular; potential environmental liabilities; the inability to utilize technology in current or planned products due to overriding rights by third parties, and the risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's filings with the SEC.

For Applied Biosystems: Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking. These may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "should," "planned," "estimated," and "potential," among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Applera Corporation's current expectations. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for such forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, Applera Corporation notes that a variety of factors could cause actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance, development, and results of Applied Biosystems businesses include but are not limited to (1) rapidly changing technology and dependence on new products; (2) sales dependent on customers' capital spending policies and government-sponsored research; (3) claims for patent infringement; (4) earthquakes; and (5) other factors that might be described from time to time in Applera Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Applera, Celera, and Celera Genomics are trademarks and Applied Biosystems are registered trademarks of Applera Corporation or its subsidiaries in the US and certain other countries.