Beckman Coulter and Eksigent Technologies Enter Collaboration and Licensing Agreement for Eksigent's Microfluidics Technology.

Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers

BIOWIRE2K

LIVERMORE, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--July 20, 2001

Eksigent Technologies today announced the signing of a collaborative development and licensing agreement with Beckman Coulter (NYSE:BEC). Under the agreement, the two companies will work together to explore opportunities for incorporating Eksigent's microfluidic system technology into future Beckman Coulter instrument platforms.

Eksigent's extensive suite of microfluidic, or lab-on-a-chip, technology includes pumps, valves, and microfabricated systems that are critical for the commercial application of lab-on-a-chip systems. The heart of Eksigent's microfluidic technology is the electrokinetic pump (EKPump(TM)), which uses an applied electric field to generate fluid flow and high pressures.

According to Dave Rakestraw, Ph.D., cofounder of Eksigent, "Beckman Coulter's leadership in the clinical diagnostics and life sciences markets makes them an excellent development partner for this breakthrough technology. Several important objectives for Beckman Coulter -- analysis speed and sample throughput -- are directly enabled by Eksigent's technology."

Jim Osborne, Ph.D., vice president of Advanced Technology at Beckman Coulter, states, "We have previously had a very successful collaboration with several of Eksigent's founders, and look forward to working with them on this project. We anticipate that Eksigent's technology will enable the development of new instrumentation platforms that provide significant advantages to Beckman Coulter's customers."

Eksigent Technologies is pioneering microfluidic technologies for use in chemical analysis, actuation, and microelectronics applications. Eksigent's core microfluidic technologies include electrokinetic pumping, microfluidic system design, and microfabrication. The revolutionary technologies pioneered by Eksigent enable new capabilities in the areas of chemical analysis (lab-on-a-chip), proteomics, drug discovery, heat transfer, and actuation. Eksigent maintains an active microfluidics research and development program at its Livermore headquarters. More information about the company is available at www.eksigent.com.

Beckman Coulter, Inc. is a leading provider of instrument systems and complementary products that simplify and automate laboratory processes. From integrated laboratory automation solutions to centrifuges and blood analyzers to diagnostic rapid-test kits, the company's products are used throughout the world in all phases of the battle against disease. Annual sales for the company totaled $1.89 billion in 2000, with about half of this amount generated outside the United States. More information about the company is available at www.beckmancoulter.com.