AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES AND CALIPER OFFER NEW DNA 1000 LABCHIP(R) KIT FOR FAST, ACCURATE SIZING AND QUANTITATION OF DNA FRAGMENTS.

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) and Caliper Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: CALP) today announced the introduction of the DNA 1000 LabChip(R) kit for the automated analysis of DNA fragments to determine their size and concentration. The new member of the LabChip family, which is designed for the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer, allows molecular biologists to analyze PCR products and small restriction digests with the speed and precision that only LabChip technology, developed by Caliper Technologies, can offer.

Combining the resolution of the DNA 500 LabChip kit with a size range that is suited for most PCR fragments (25 to 1000 base pairs), the DNA 1000 LabChip kit is another valuable member in the growing number of LabChip solutions. Whether doing competitive PCR, RT-PCR, or trying to optimize PCR reactions, the accurate quantitation and large linear dynamic range of quantitation make the DNA 1000 LabChip kit a valuable new tool in the laboratory.

As with the other members of the LabChip family, the DNA 1000 LabChip kit utilizes internal and external standards to automatically calculate the size (in base pairs) and the concentration (in ng/microlitres) of each separated DNA fragment of the sample -- no gel staining or scanning is required. Using just 0.5 nanograms of material, the samples are automatically separated, detected and analyzed, and the data is archived. To date, it's the fastest, easiest and cleanest way that a molecular biologist can analyze DNA.

The DNA 1000 LabChip kit is available to order now. The kit price for the analysis of 300 samples is $355. Shipments are expected to begin May 1, 2001.

Caliper Technologies Corp. is a leader in lab-on-a-chip technology. Caliper designs, manufactures, and commercializes LabChip devices and systems that enable experiments that ordinarily require laboratories full of equipment and people to be conducted on a chip small enough to fit in the palm of a child's hand. The chip contains a network of microscopic channels through which fluids and chemicals are moved in order to perform the experiment. The LabChip system is designed to streamline and accelerate laboratory experimentation and has potential applicability in a broad range of industries including pharmaceuticals, agriculture, chemicals and diagnostics. Caliper has established multiple strategic and commercial alliances and has built a leading intellectual property estate in microfluidic technology.

Agilent Technologies Inc. is a global technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and healthcare. With 48,000 employees serving customers in more than 120 countries, Agilent had net revenue of $10.8 billion in fiscal year 2000.