Biotech Automation Company, Korvis Automation Inc. Introduces Korvis Platform.

Business Editors and Health/Medical Writers

BIOWIRE2K

SEATTLE--(BW HealthWire)--April 15, 2002

Company Makes it Easier for Biotech Research, Development, and

Manufacturing Teams to Accelerate the Development

of Process and Product

Korvis Automation, Inc., a new biotech automation company, announced today the launch of its Korvis Platform. Korvis Automation's new technology is designed for use by biotech researchers, scientists, and manufacturing teams to address the ever-increasing demands in the burgeoning area of life sciences. The company also announced the opening of its Seattle offices.

"This is an exciting time for biotech automation and Korvis Automation's approach, which allows custom-designed automation and instrumentation to be delivered in a fraction of the previously allotted time, has the potential to change the way process development is done," said Ben Wahlstrom, CEO of Korvis.

As researchers delve further into the genome and enter the era of proteomics, they generate unprecedented amounts of biological sample media. Aggressive product development cycles across the life science industry are pushing current techniques beyond their capabilities. Standard practices are proving inadequate and facilities are overwhelmed by inefficient methods. Integration and design of complex automation systems only further overwhelm the resources of many labs and biotech manufacturing facilities. To overcome this challenge, several labs and biotech companies have already recognized a model that mature industries have used for years - to outsource the design and integration of automation to companies specializing in machine design, control and process development.

Korvis' newest technology, the Korvis Platform, is a revolutionary instrument platform that is customized based on customer specifications. The Korvis Platform incorporates the necessary mechanical structure, pneumatic and electrical support systems, controller and software to bear the most demanding applications. The platform is uniquely tailored for biotech automation. It offers clean-room level environmental filtration, ergonomic comfort, biotech compatible materials, standard fluidic control, humidity control modules, and advanced software control schemes.

The company is privately funded. Customers already include Boston-based Gene XP, a biotech startup with unique IP in the biochip array sector and others.

We chose Korvis Automation for several reasons," said Paul Davis, Director, of Gene XP, "First off, the seasoned leadership and engineering prowess of the Korvis group, led by Ben Wahlstrom, was a real plus for us. We know first hand that Ben and his team deliver first-rate results, and we view this relationship as a long-term partnership. Second, due to the highly complex engineering required, it is imperative that our chosen vendor be well versed in the delivery of a complete turnkey system. The Korvis group offers the integration necessary to bring our products to market. "

About Korvis Automation, Inc.

Korvis Automation, Inc., (www.korvis.com) based in Seattle Washington, is a biotech automation company. The company's new technology, the Korvis Platform, is an innovative system for improving the efficiencies of development cycles. The Korvis Platform allows companies and research institutions to accelerate the development of process and product. The Korvis team is comprised of the industry's leading engineers with extensive experience in complex control schemes, process development, life science product design, optics, machine vision, and precision motion platforms. The company is privately funded and has already established itself by servicing several strategic customer wins.