Applied Biosystems Launches New Proteomics Tools At PITTCON.

Business Editors, Health/Medical Writers

2001 Pittsburgh Conference

FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--March 1, 2001

Applied Biosystems Group (NYSE:ABI), an Applera Corporation business, today announced the commercial availability of three new tools intended to increase throughput and the dynamic range of applications for protein researchers.

The ICAT(TM) Reagent Technology, optional oMALDI(TM) ion source and new software for the API QSTAR(TM) Pulsar Hybrid LC/MS/MS System, and the Rapid Integration Solution software for proteomics have all been designed to enable academic and commercial customers to increase their understanding of proteins and their role in the onset and treatment of disease. These products will be featured March 4-9 at the 2001 Pittsburgh Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The findings from the interpretation of the human genome by Celera Genomics (NYSE:CRA), also an Applera Corporation business, underscore the importance of understanding proteins in developing new diagnostics and pharmaceuticals. Celera scientists estimate that there are between 26,500-30,000 genes in the sequence of the human genome. Earlier estimates have ranged from 50,000 to over 140,000. Therefore, they believe it will be necessary to look further for the mechanisms that generate the complexities inherent in human development.

"Proteins are coded by our genes and hence provide extremely valuable complementary information to researchers investigating the causes of disease and searching for new drug targets and diagnostic markers," said Michael W. Hunkapiller, Ph.D., president of Applied Biosystems. "We estimate there are hundreds of thousands of proteins, and minor alterations in the nature of protein-protein interactions, protein modifications and localization can have dramatic effects on cellular physiology.

"To enhance proteomics as we did genomics in the late '90s will require the development of integrated systems of sample preparation, analysis and informatics technologies. These tools are the next step in that development."

The ICAT(TM) Reagent Technology is designed to offer researchers a powerful new mass-spectrometry-based method for preparing and analyzing complex samples to identify component proteins and determine their relative expression levels. The ICAT reagents are intended to enable an easy comparison of the expression level of a protein from two samples. In comparing normal and diseased cells, for example, different proteins may be activated or inhibited. This information could lead to the discovery of new targets for therapeutic intervention or markers for diagnostic or toxicity studies. The ICAT(TM) technology also addresses some of the limitations of 2-D gels by enabling the analysis of membrane and low-abundance proteins.

In November 2000, Applied Biosystems obtained an exclusive worldwide license to manufacture and commercialize ICAT(TM) reagents. Ruedi Aebersold, Ph.D., of the Institute for Systems Biology, developed the proprietary isotope coded affinity tag technology while he was a professor at the University of Washington.

The oMALDI(TM) ion source, Analyst(TM) and BioAnalyst(TM) software packages for the API QSTAR(TM) Pulsar system are the latest advancements in mass spectrometry developed through the Applied Biosystems/MDS SCIEX joint venture. For the first time, researchers may obtain high quality MS and MS/MS data at higher throughput using MALDI ionization. The system offers the ability to obtain the molecular weight of peptides through an initial round of mass analysis, followed by the amino acid sequence information through a second round of analysis, facilitating more accurate identification of peptides and proteins.

The Analyst(TM) for QSTAR software is a powerful, new NT-based data acquisition package. When complemented by the BioAnalyst(TM) data processing module, it affords a seamless integrated system for routine protein identification and characterization.

The proteomics version of Rapid Integration Solution (RIS) software is a suite of software tailored for protein researchers. RIS addresses the growing need among life science customers to manage the sheer volume of data being produced by high-throughput instruments by automating and integrating lab processes and information.

The software includes such features as sample tracking, quality control and information sharing across institutions. The Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research's University College London Medical School Branch is using Applied Biosystems RIS technology in its multi-faceted study of cancer and, at the same time, contributing to Applied Biosystems' base of knowledge of specialized informatics systems.

Applera Corporation, formerly PE Corporation, comprises two operating groups. The Applied Biosystems Group (NYSE:ABI) 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, Calif., 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 Applera Corporation, including reports and other information filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is available on the World Wide Web at www.applera.com, or by telephoning 800/762-6923. Applied Biosystems/MDS SCIEX is a joint venture between Applera Corporation and MDS Inc.

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties. These may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "should," "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; and (4) other factors that might be described from time to time in Applera Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Note to Editors: AB (Design), Applera, Celera, Celera Genomics, oMALDI, and QSTAR are trademarks and Applied Biosystems is a registered trademark of Applera Corporation or its subsidiaries in the US and certain other countries. ICAT is a trademark of the University of Washington, exclusively licensed to the Applied Biosystems Group of Applera Corporation.