Beckman Coulter Launches Ovarian Cancer Test, Expands Tumor Marker Menu on Immunoassay Systems.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

FULLERTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 15, 2003

Beckman Coulter, Inc. (NYSE:BEC) announced today it has launched Access(R) OV Monitor, a new medical laboratory test that aids in the management of ovarian cancer.

The new test, which has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for diagnostic use, is designed to detect cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) levels in human serum and plasma. CA 125 antigen levels are most consistently elevated in patients with ovarian cancer, the sixth most common cancer in women, according to the American Cancer Society.

"CA 125 antigen levels that consistently rise in ovarian cancer patients may reflect a progression of the disease, while decreasing levels may indicate a positive response to therapy," said Bernard Cook, Ph.D., Beckman Coulter medical information scientist. "This new test provides a fast, accurate way to monitor CA 125 antigen levels, enabling physicians to quickly evaluate disease progression and responses to therapy in patients with ovarian cancer."

Access OV Monitor produces first results in 20 minutes and expands the tumor marker menu on Beckman Coulter's immunodiagnostic systems.

The new test will be complemented by Access GI Monitor and Access BR Monitor, both of which are under development to help monitor gastrointestinal malignancy and breast cancer, respectively.

Access OV Monitor is available on Beckman Coulter's Access and Access 2 immunoassay systems. In addition to tumor markers, Access systems perform cardiac, anemia, infectious disease, reproductive and other endocrine tests. The Access test menu features 38 tests in the United States and approximately 50 worldwide.

Access OV Monitor also is available on the new SYNCHRON LX(R)i 725 clinical system, which combines chemistry and immunoassay analysis technology with data management and automated sample handling on a single instrument. The SYNCHRON LXi 725 is the only system on the market with closed-tube sampling technology for chemistry tests and immunoassay tests, which results in faster, safer and more accurate results.

In addition, the test will be available on the UniCel(TM) DxI 800 immunoassay system, which launches later this year and features double the throughput of its nearest competitor.

Beckman Coulter, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of instrument systems, chemistries and supplies that simplify and automate laboratory processes. At the forefront of medical discovery, in clinical research and through the often life-saving process of clinical diagnostics, Beckman Coulter's 200,000 installed systems provide essential biomedical intelligence to enhance health care around the world. The company, based in Fullerton, Calif., reported 2002 annual sales of $2.06 billion with 62 percent of this amount generated by recurring revenue from supplies, test kits and services. For more information, visit www.beckmancoulter.com.