Applied Biosystems Obtains an Exclusive License to Northeastern University Technology for Proteomics and Biomolecular Analysis.

Health/Medical Writers

FOSTER CITY, Calif. & BOSTON--(BW HealthWire)

April 23, 2001

New Technology Will Enable Interface Between MALDI-TOF Mass

Spectrometry and High Resolution Separations

Applied Biosystems Group (NYSE:ABI), an Applera Corporation business, and Northeastern University today announced that Applied Biosystems has obtained an exclusive license to an enabling technology for the analysis of biological molecules. Barry Karger, Ph.D., a James L. Waters Professor of Analytical Chemistry and Director of the Barnett Institute of Chemical and Biological Analysis, and his colleagues at Northeastern University, Boston, developed this technology. The new technology provided under this license, referred to as the vacuum deposition interface, should lead to significant enhancements to throughput, sensitivity of detection and automation of the analysis of proteins, peptides and other biomolecules. This technology is expected to have applicability for the development of high throughput proteomics processes.

Northeastern University's vacuum deposition interface is expected to help address key challenges facing proteomics today, including the need for rapid identification and quantification of low concentrations of proteins contained in complex samples such as human tissue and blood serum. This technology enables a higher degree of integration between advanced high performance separations systems such as liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis with MALDI mass spectrometry.

MALDI mass spectrometry, one of the most prominent protein analysis tools in use today, is not routinely interfaced to powerful and automated separation technologies. The vacuum deposition interface should have particular utility when combined with other technologies under development at Applied Biosystems. These technologies include a new generation of MALDI mass spectrometry, called tandem time of flight, and new advanced separation approaches for proteins, peptides and other bio-molecules.

"The development of the vacuum deposition interface represents the type of innovation we are committed to bringing to proteomics researchers," said Michael W. Hunkapiller, Ph.D., president of Applied Biosystems. "This technology is an important addition to Applied Biosystems' family of integrated proteomics solutions."

"We are pleased that Applied Biosystems has licensed the vacuum deposition interface, as we believe the technology offers powerful new approaches to protein expression analysis in the field of proteomics," Dr. Karger said.

About the Barnett Institute and Northeastern University

The Barnett Institute, an internationally recognized research center in biological analysis, has patented more than 50 inventions, enabling Northeastern University to license a number of technologies to instrumentation, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical companies. Dr. Karger and his colleagues, in particular, have made major contributions to genomics, proteomics, and drug discovery.

Northeastern University, a private research institution, has a history of strong technological research programs in the life sciences, the physical sciences, and engineering. In addition to the activities of the Barnett Institute, there is significant ongoing research in subsurface imaging and sensing technology, drug discovery and delivery, neurotechnology, nanotechnology, renewable energy, power electronics, plasma processing, microfabrication technology, computer architecture, and materials development and processing. Several hundred faculty, staff and students participate in this dynamic research environment in the heart of Boston.

About Applera Corporation

Applera Corporation, formerly PE 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, leading to the development of new pharmaceuticals, and to conduct standardized testing. Applied Biosystems is headquartered in Foster City, CA, 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 the company, 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.

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," 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) integrating acquired technologies may be costly and may not result in technological advances; (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: Applera is a trademark and Applied Biosystems is a registered trademark of Applera Corporation or its subsidiaries in the US and certain other countries.