Cortex Biochem Awarded Patent; MagaZorb Provides Greater Value with Better Performing, Faster, Flexible Nucleic Acid Isolation.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Cortex Biochem(TM) Inc., a global leader in developing magnetic particle technology and products used in genomic research and clinical diagnostics, announced it has received a U.S. patent for its MagaZorb(R) Nucleic Acid (DNA/RNA) Isolation and Purification System. The company's patented system gives customers a single process for isolating and purifying nucleic acids, including DNA, RNA and PNA, from various samples, including biological fluids, tissues and cells.

"We offer a patented system to customers in a standard, easy-to-use protocol that delivers fast and repeatable results," said Matt Pourfarzaneh, President and CEO. "Our kits provide significant advantages over existing technologies, including simplicity, speed, cost effectiveness and dependability."

Other systems require separate kits and protocols for different source materials, yet the MagaZorb(R) system can be used for all sample types and is sensitive enough to isolate minute amounts of nucleic acids.

The MagaZorb(R) system uses magnetic or paramagnetic particles encapsulated in a polymer with specially-formulated binding and washing buffers to bind and elute the nucleic acids. The system simplifies the isolation and purification process with the "one kit for all" concept. Without requiring centrifugation or organic solvents such as ethyl alcohol, nucleic acids are quickly produced and are ready for further characterization and downstream processing, such as PCR, sequencing or blotting procedures. The system is useful for the isolation of both double-stranded (ds) and single-stranded (ss) polynucleotides of virtually any size and from a wide variety of sources.

Dr. Pourfarzaneh said the unique features of the MagaZorb(R) system makes it readily adaptable to automation, including high throughput screening systems. The particles used in this magnetic particle technology are manufactured by Cortex Biochem Inc. in the company's ISO9001-2000 certified manufacturing facility.

About Cortex Biochem(TM) Inc.:

Cortex Biochem(TM) Inc., based in San Leandro, CA, is a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative, versatile, and reliable products for Molecular Biology, Magnetic Separation, and Immunodiagnostics. The company's proprietary magnetic particle technology is the foundation for its MagaZorb(R) and MagaPhase(R) products as well as other reagents for infectious disease and reporter gene research. Cortex Biochem's worldwide business channels support research scientists as well as molecular and clinical laboratories in their quest to advance basic research and improve commercial operations. See www.cortex-biochem.com for more information.