Eksigent Technologies Wins R&D 100 Award; R&D Magazine's Award for Technical Innovation Recognizes Eksigent's NanoLC System as a Significant Advance for Proteomics Research.

LIVERMORE, Calif. -- Eksigent Technologies, a leading provider of microfluidic systems for drug discovery and drug delivery, today announced that it has won a 2004 R&D 100 Award for its NanoLC Proteomics System. The R&D 100 award places the state-of-the-art NanoLC system in the prestigious company of previous winners such as liquid crystal displays and the anticancer drug Taxol.

Known as "the Oscars of Invention," the R&D 100 Awards showcase the most significant new technologies commercialized worldwide. This year, R&D Magazine recognized Eksigent for a combination of research and manufacturing excellence in developing and commercializing the world's first direct-pumping nano-flow HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) system for proteomics research. Based on novel microfluidic flow control technology, the system helps researchers identify the role of proteins in causing diseases. The NanoLC system easily integrates with leading mass spectrometers, which are used as the primary detector in proteomics research. The NanoLC System's integrated ability to "peak park," or rapidly slow the flow rate to increase detection sensitivity, is also an industry first. Introduced in 2003, the NanoLC system is used globally by leading pharmaceutical companies and research institutes including the University of California at San Francisco, Scripps Research Institute, Mayo Clinic, Lawrence Livermore National Lab, Wistar Institute at the University of Pennsylvania, Washington University Proteomics Center, Oregon Health and Science University, and the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation.

"We are honored to be recognized by R&D Magazine for our new HPLC technology and to be ranked among the world's top technology innovators," said Karen Hahnenberger, Ph.D., NanoLC Product Manager. "The NanoLC system is an example of Eksigent's strength as a leading technology innovator. It's gratifying to see recognition of our commitment to provide enabling products and technologies that improve the research activities of our life science customers worldwide."

About Eksigent Technologies

Eksigent Technologies is pioneering microfluidic systems for use in proteomics, drug discovery, medical devices, and other life science applications. Eksigent's core microfluidic technologies include microscale pumping, microfluidic system design, and microfabrication. Products include the NanoLC system for highly sensitive LC/MS proteomics research, the ExpressLC for high throughput analytical HPLC, and the EKPump for compact, precise drug delivery. More information about the company is available at www.eksigent.com.