Fluidigm Launches New BioMark(TM) Dynamic Arrays for High-Throughput 5'-Nuclease Genotyping.

New Application To Be Introduced at the 2007 European Society of Human Genetics in Nice, France

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- Fluidigm Corporation has announced high-throughput, TaqMan[R] reagent-based genotyping on BioMark[TM] 48.48 Dynamic Arrays, integrated fluidic circuits (IFCs) for life science research. Until now, large genotyping studies utilizing the gold-standard chemistry have typically required numerous microwell plates, dispensing robotics to handle the intensive liquid handling, and large amounts of costly reagents. This approach, while automated, is prohibitively complex and expensive. BioMark dynamic arrays radically simplify the process because their matrixed network of channels, valves, and chambers automatically assembles 2,304 parallel, nano-volume reactions on each IFC. With the BioMark[TM] system and standard, industry-accepted reagents, researchers can increase their throughput 6-fold, decrease pipetting 50-fold, and, yet, cut running costs substantially relative to current 384-well genotyping systems.

"This new application of our BioMark system provides a significant contribution to life science research," said Fluidigm CEO Gajus Worthington. "While the TaqMan[R] chemistry clearly delivers gold-standard performance, the 384-well format severely inhibits its use in high-throughput genotyping applications. The BioMark system delivers the throughput practitioners' need with the performance of the gold-standard chemistry, but at a fraction of the work and a fraction of the cost."

The BioMark[TM] system and dynamic arrays use PCR assays to detect specific combinations of alleles (alternative forms of genes) within individual samples. The research goal is to understand genetic variation within a large population, knowledge used in diverse fields such as cancer genetics, human genetic diversity, horticultural genetics, and wildlife conservation. Fluidigm expects to place early-access systems soon, with general commercial availability starting in October.

Fluidigm will exhibit genotyping on the BioMark system at the 2007 meeting of the European Society of Human Genetics, opening June 16, in Nice, France. Elements of the system include 48.48 Dynamic Arrays, instrumentation for PCR detection, and Genotyping Analysis Software for viewing, annotating, and archiving data.

For more information on the BioMark dynamic arrays for genotyping, please link to http://www.fluidigm.com/information/Genotyping.pdf.

About Fluidigm Corporation

Fluidigm Corporation develops and distributes systems based on the unique properties of integrated fluidic circuits (IFCs) to control fluids precisely on a nanoliter volume scale. The Company's vision is to create and to lead a new industry in which IFCs bring unparalleled efficiencies to the life science and allied fields. Based in South San Francisco, California, the Company is privately held and backed by premier investors: Versant Ventures, Euclid SR Partners, InterWest Partners, Alloy Ventures, Lehman Brothers Healthcare Fund, Bio*One Capital, Bruce Burrows, Lilly BioVentures, the Invus Group, SightLine Partners, AllianceBernstein, Wasatch Advisors and its affiliate, Cross Creek Capital, and GE Equity.

TaqMan[R] is a registered trademark of Roche Molecular Systems and F. Hoffmann-La Roche; all other trademarks and registered trademarks are the sole property of the Fluidigm Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.