Amersham Biosciences Broadens Range of Cellular Analysis Solutions with Guava Technologies' Japan Distribution Deal.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

BIOWIRE2K

PISCATAWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 24, 2004

Adds micro-cytometry instruments, reagents and analysis software

from Guava to portfolio

Amersham Biosciences, the life sciences business of Amersham (LSE:AHM)(NYSE:AHM)(OSE:AHM), has signed an exclusive three-year distribution agreement covering the territory of Japan with Guava(R) Technologies, Inc for Guava Personal Cell Analysis (PCA) systems, reagents and software modules.

By adding the Guava PCA systems to its portfolio, Amersham Biosciences now offers micro-cytometry instruments, reagents and analysis software. Guava's products have broad applications in scientific research, drug discovery, cell counting, and optimization of commercial bioproduction. The Guava PCA systems offer an integrated, optimized approach that takes the guesswork out of single cell analysis and counting. Based on patented micro-capillary technology, the Guava PCA systems are available in three configurations.

With flexible and ultra-compact systems, cell analysis with the Guava PCA requires only a few microliters of sample volume. This results in substantial savings in precious and expensive cells, reagents and compounds. Guava offers a range of assays and dedicated software modules enhancing the Guava PCA system's overall ease-of-use.

The Guava PCA systems are complementary to Amersham Biosciences' cellular analysis reagents and IN Cell Analyzer platforms to provide a comprehensive cellular analysis offering, supported by Amersham Biosciences' distribution, marketing, sales and support franchise. Compatibility of reagents from both companies across the IN Cell Analyzer and PCA platforms will simplify and improve cellular analysis applications and extend a more complete systems offering to our customers.

Keiko Hattori, president, Japan and International at Amersham Biosciences says: "We are delighted to have signed this distribution agreement with Guava Technologies. In the past, technology based instrumentation has created bottlenecks rather than removed them in all cell based research and cell health monitoring applications. The agreement means we can offer customers powerful instrumentation coupled with integrated software and optimized reagents, helping them improve the laboratories productivity and work flow."

"We are very pleased and excited to be working with Amersham Biosciences" says Paul Kinnon vice president commercial development, Guava Technologies. "Our experience in the decentralized cellular analysis market, coupled with the extensive marketing and commercial support of Amersham Biosciences, will strengthen our presence in the vibrant Japanese life sciences market and promote higher productivity in drug development and scientific research as it relates to cell analysis."

The Guava Technologies products now available from Amersham Biosciences include: The Guava PCA, PCA-96 and PCA-96 AFP (Auto Fluorescent Protein) Platforms with Software modules and reagent kits including Guava ViaCount(R), Nexin, Express, MultiCaspase, TUNEL, Cell Cycle Software Modules and the Express AFP Software Module for the PCA-96 AFP.

Amersham Biosciences, the life sciences business of Amersham (LSE:AHM)(NYSE:AHM)(OSE:AHM), is a world leader in developing and providing integrated systems and solutions for disease research, drug development and manufacture. Our systems are used to uncover the function of genes and proteins, for the discovery and development of drugs and for the manufacture of biopharmaceuticals. The customers for Amersham Biosciences' products and technology are pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and research and academic institutions, principally in North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia. More information about Amersham Biosciences is available at www.amershambiosciences.com.

Amersham Biosciences--enabling molecular medicine

About Guava Technologies

Guava Technologies is a biotechnology company that develops, manufactures and markets unique integrated cellular analysis systems for the life science researcher's benchtop. The company is revolutionizing the way that cell culture monitoring and cell screening assays are performed, by providing compact micro-volume scale systems that make common assays in cell-based analysis accessible at the benchtop. Guava's products have broad applications to life sciences research, drug discovery and biopharmaceutical production today, but also offer potential for use in clinical testing and blood processing, as well as other areas where single cell analysis is important. More information about Guava Technologies is available at www.guavatechnologies.com.