Applied Biosystems Announces Availability of Two New Real-Time PCR Systems.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

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FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 2, 2004

The 7300 and 7500 Real-Time PCR Systems Enhance Applied

Biosystems' Sequence Detection System Product Line with Affordable,

Low Throughput Options for Genomic Research Applications

Applied Biosystems (NYSE:ABI), an Applera Corporation business, today announced the availability of two new real-time PCR systems for the detection and quantification of nucleic acid sequences. The Applied Biosystems 7300 Real-Time PCR System and the Applied Biosystems 7500 Real-Time PCR System combine thermal cycling, fluorescence detection, and application-specific software, offering an affordable solution for low-throughput genomic research applications. The systems provide the flexibility to perform a variety of applications, including gene expression analysis, pathogen quantitation and SNP genotyping.

"These new systems provide life scientists with high-quality, immediate, quantitative results upon completion of PCR, with no need to run gels, purify PCR products, or perform any post-PCR manipulation," said Michael W. Hunkapiller, Ph.D., President of Applied Biosystems. "Compared with manual PCR quantification techniques, such as Northern blotting or RNase protection assays, real-time PCR offers an enormous time savings, greater sensitivity, superior precision, and a larger dynamic range."

Both systems include powerful and flexible software with new plate set-up wizards to guide experimental set-up, and automated analysis tools to simplify data processing and visualization. Further, customers can purchase ready-to-use probe-based assays through the TaqMan(R) Assays-on-Demand(TM) and TaqMan(R) Assays-by-Design(SM) product lines for use with either system when performing gene expression analysis or SNP genotyping.

Applied Biosystems 7300 Real-Time PCR System

The Applied Biosystems 7300 Real-Time PCR System employs the latest generation Peltier-based thermal cycling system, and supports both standard 96-well plates and 0.2-mL tubes, providing a cost-effective solution for basic research laboratories. The system employs four-color detection, and real-time PCR runs can be completed in less than two hours, with a supported volume range of 25-100 (mu)L.

Applied Biosystems 7500 Real-Time PCR System

The Applied Biosystems 7500 Real-Time PCR System is a more versatile platform that provides enhanced dye detection capabilities. The system employs five-color detection and an advanced optical configuration that supports a broader range of fluorophores, including FAM(TM)/SYBR(R) Green I, VIC(R)/JOE(TM), NED(TM)/ TAMRA(TM)/ Cy3(TM), ROX(TM)/Texas Red(R), and Cy5(TM). Further, variable excitation capability provides greater sensitivity for longer wavelength red dyes. The system also employs the latest generation Peltier-based thermal cycling system with a supported volume range of 25-100 (mu)L.

TaqMan(R) Assays-on-Demand(TM) Products

TaqMan(R) Assays-on-Demand(TM) products represent the broadest collection of functionally validated, ready-to-use assays based on the human genome. Gene expression assays are also available for the mouse and rat. The assays can be ordered through the 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.

About Applera Corporation and Applied Biosystems

Applera Corporation consists of two operating groups. The Applied Biosystems Group serves the life science industry and research community by developing and marketing instrument-based systems, consumables, software, and services. 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 $1.7 billion during fiscal 2003. 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 by Applied Biosystems, 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 "should" and "expect," 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) rapidly changing technology and dependence on development of new products and; (3) 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.

Applied Biosystems and VIC are registered trademarks and Applera, Assays-by-Design, Assays-on-Demand, Celera, Celera Diagnostics, Celera Discovery System, Celera Genomics, FAM, JOE, NED, ROX, and TAMRA are trademarks of Applera Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or certain other countries. TaqMan is a registered trademark of Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. Cy3 and Cy5 are trademarks of Amersham Biosciences.

SYBR and Texas Red are registered trademarks of Molecular Probes, Inc.

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

Practice of the patented polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process requires a license. The Applied Biosystems 7300/7500 Real Time PCR Systems are Authorized Thermal Cyclers for PCR and may be used with PCR licenses available from Applied Biosystems. Their use with Authorized Reagents also provides a limited PCR license in accordance with the label rights accompanying such reagents. Purchase of this instrument does not convey any right to practice the 5' nuclease assay or any of the other real-time methods covered by patents owned by Roche or Applied Biosystems.