Applied Biosystems Announces Availability of Mouse Genomic Assays for Real-Time Gene Expression Analysis.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

BIOWIRE2K

FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 13, 2003

Ready-to-Use Primer and Probe Sets Reduce Time and Cost of Discovery

Applied Biosystems Group (NYSE:ABI), an Applera Corporation business, today announced the initial release of pre-formulated gene expression assays for researchers studying the mouse, an important animal model of human disease. The Mouse Assays-on-Demand(TM) Gene Expression Products are now available through the Applied Biosystems e-commerce web site.

The mouse genomic assays are the latest addition to the Applied Biosystems Assays-on-Demand(TM) Gene Expression Products, which also include more than 18,000 gene-specific assays for human genes. The initial release of mouse genomic assays comprises more than 8,000 gene-specific TaqMan(R) probe and primer sets for quantitative gene expression studies on mouse genes. Additional assays are expected to be released on an ongoing basis over the coming months. Later this calendar year, Applied Biosystems also expects to launch gene expression assays for the rat.

"Compared to do-it-yourself methods, our Assays-on-Demand Gene Expression Products deliver a complete quantification solution and eliminate weeks or even months of primer and probe design, formulation and testing," said Michael W. Hunkapiller, Ph.D., President of Applied Biosystems. "These ready-to-use assays provide accurate, reproducible data, and provide researchers with the ability to screen a greater number of targets faster, easier and more cost-effectively. The addition of the mouse genomic assays should advance functional genomics research by making gene expression studies on one of the most important animal models of human disease much more accessible and affordable."

The initial release is designed to the well-characterized transcripts in the NCBI Reference Sequence project (RefSeq) database for mouse genes. Applied Biosystems plans to ultimately offer assays for nearly all of the genes listed in the mouse RefSeq database. The assays were designed using Applied Biosystems' sophisticated bioinformatics pipeline and include data from both the public and Celera Genomics mouse genomes. The design process yields strain-neutral mouse gene expression assays by avoiding areas of known polymorphisms, or DNA sequence variations.

Online Ordering

The Assays-on-Demand(TM) products can be ordered through the recently enhanced Applied Biosystems e-commerce site at http://store.appliedbiosystems.com/. This web interface offers a choice of powerful search options that enable researchers to quickly identify the assays relevant to their research. Search options include key words, such as gene symbols, public accession numbers, classification by molecular function, and a batch identification function that allows scientists to import a file of many targets to search simultaneously. Customers are provided with Celera, NCBI, and reagent identification numbers as well as other pertinent biological information. Interested parties may browse the online catalog free of charge. New assay products will be added to the site as they become available, and the mouse assays are also expected to be included in the Celera Discovery System(TM) online platform in the coming months.

Assay Components

The Mouse Assays-on-Demand(TM) Gene Expression Products are available in two different formats to accommodate the size and scale of individual gene expression studies. Customers can order pre-formulated assays in a single, 2D-barcoded tube or assays that are custom configured on the Applied Biosystems 7900HT Micro Fluidic Card. The single tubes include a human readable label to simplify set-up and preparation and are contained within a 1D-barcoded 96-position rack designed to accommodate standard liquid handling robotics and fit seamlessly into automated, high-throughput laboratory processes. The single tube Assays-on-Demand(TM) products are optimized for use on the ABI PRISM(R) 7900HT, 7700, and 7000 Sequence Detection Systems.

The Applied Biosystems 7900HT Micro Fluidic Card allows high throughput, parallel analysis of gene expression patterns, and is expected to expedite customers' target discovery programs by allowing researchers to investigate complex biological pathways more quickly and cost-effectively. The Applied Biosystems 7900HT Micro Fluidic Card is a micro reaction vessel system that supports up to 10 different configuration options with 12-384 assays per card and is optimized for use on the ABI PRISM(R) 7900HT Sequence Detection System. Customers can create their own micro card configuration online by selecting from over 8,000 gene-specific assays for mouse genes. Applied Biosystems also offers more than 18,000 gene-specific assays for human genes in both product formats.

Both formats include a compact disc with an assay information file that includes the assay ID numbers, gene names (detector names), reporter dye, and quencher information for easy uploading into a LIMS system or sequence detection system software.

About Applera Corporation and Applied Biosystems

Applera 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), small molecules, and proteins to make scientific discoveries, develop new pharmaceuticals, and conduct standardized testing. Applied Biosystems is headquartered in Foster City, CA, and reported sales of $1.6 billion during fiscal 2002. The Celera Genomics Group (NYSE:CRA), located in Rockville, MD, and South San Francisco, CA, is engaged principally in integrating advanced technologies to discover and develop new therapeutics. Celera intends to leverage its proteomic, bioinformatic, and genomic capabilities to identify and validate drug targets, and to discover and develop new therapeutics. Its Celera Discovery System(TM) online platform, marketed exclusively through the Applied Biosystems Knowledge Business, is an integrated source of information based on the human genome and other biological and medical sources. Celera Diagnostics, a 50/50 joint venture between Applied Biosystems and Celera Genomics, is focused on discovery, development, and commercialization of novel diagnostic products. Information about Applera Corporation, including reports and other information filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is available at http://www.applera.com, or by telephoning 800/762-6923. Information about Applied Biosystems is available at http://www.appliedbiosystems.com.

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," "plans," and "should" 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. These factors include but are not limited to (1) sales dependent on customers' capital spending policies and government-sponsored research; (2) Applied Biosystems' dependence on the operation of computer hardware, software, and Internet applications and related technology; (3) unproven use of genomics information to develop or commercialize products; (4) and other factors that might be described from time to time in Applera Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and Applera does not undertake any duty to update this information, including any forward-looking statements, unless required by law.

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

Note to Editors: ABI PRISM and Applied Biosystems are a registered trademarks and AB (Design), Applera, Assays-on-Demand, Celera, Celera Discovery System, and Celera Genomics are trademarks of Applera Corporation and/or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and certain other countries.

TaqMan is a registered trademark of Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.

The PCR process and 5' nuclease process are covered by patents owned by Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.