Hamilton Thorne Biosciences, Inc. and CogniScent, Inc. Announce Development and Marketing Collaboration for the ''Electronic Nose''.

BEVERLY, Mass. -- Hamilton Thorne Biosciences, Inc. and CogniScent, Inc. announced today their collaborative relationship for development and marketing of CogniScent's "Electronic Nose." CogniScent has granted Hamilton Thorne worldwide exclusive marketing rights in key market areas and the companies are working together to produce the next generation of novel sensors that will greatly increase the capability and sensitivity of artificial nose devices.

CogniScent's "Electronic Nose" uses an artificial olfactory neuronal network that mimics more aspects of the highly developed scent recognition abilities of animals than any other device presently available, resulting in an extremely sensitive detection system. The technology, which combines an array of optically based chemosensors with pattern recognition, works by producing a "digital signature," or pattern, of the specific odor and then comparing it to patterns stored in its odor database. The use of an artificial neural network allows the unit to "learn" new odors and store response patterns for future comparison.

"We are very pleased to work with CogniScent to offer a sophisticated yet easy-to-use, on-site monitoring device for the detection and measurement of the levels of damaging fungal organisms," said Meg Hamilton, CEO of Hamilton Thorne Biosciences, Inc. "The ability for the unskilled user to perform on-site screening for fungal organisms represents the first line in the battle to reduce the litigation, clean up costs, and structural damage caused by toxigenic molds. The environmental inspector, homeowner, and landlord need early warning of these often hidden organisms, in order to monitor the status of the building and arrange clean up before the infestation is full blown. Not the least of the Electronic Nose advantages is that there is no need to tear down walls during the early screening process."

John Kauer, Ph.D. President of CogniScent, is excited about working with Hamilton Thorne Biosciences to bring the "Electronic Nose" into the commercial marketplace. "The Electronic Nose offers tremendous potential to help combat the growing fungal problem in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings and agriculture. With the ability to monitor fungal levels and catch a 'whiff of them' at the earliest opportunity, homeowners, landlords and farmers will finally be given the chance to better control the outcome." On working with Hamilton Thorne, Dr. Kauer says, "Hamilton Thorne has brought many products from the research bench to market. We have every confidence in their ability successfully do so again." Dr. Kauer adds that, "In addition to our work with Hamilton, fungal detection is only one of several anticipated CogniScent applications of the 'Electronic Nose,' which include detection of explosives, chemical and biological weapons, environmental toxins, disease causing organisms, and food spoilage."

About Hamilton Thorne Biosciences, Inc.

Hamilton Thorne Biosciences is a privately held automated instrumentation and DNA-technology company. Additional information about Hamilton Thorne Biosciences and its technologies is available at www.hamiltonthorne.com.

About CogniScent, Inc.

Based in Weston, MA, CogniScent, Inc. develops systems for chemical detection in complex mixtures. Out of 500 applicants, CogniScent is one of only 12 companies granted funding in the initial round of contracts from the Department of Homeland Security. A background summary on CogniScent may be found at www.tufts.edu/central/research/ResearchNews/issue2/cogniscent.htm.