PE BIOSYSTEMS/HITACHI LAUNCH ABI PRISM 3100 GENETIC ANALYZER.

PE Biosystems Group (NYSE:PEB), Foster City, a PE Corporation business, and the Instrument Group of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT) have introduced the new ABI PRISM 3100 Genetic Analyzer, a significant expansion of PE Biosystems pioneering family of genetic analysis systems which has made it possible to sequence the human genome. The new system will provide higher throughput and ease-of-use for academic researchers engaged in disease risk-factor analysis, as well as those involved in DNA typing for forensic applications and identification of micro-organisms for food and pharmaceutical product safety.

"Large-scale programs such as the Human Genome Project have generated genomic information that enables researchers to focus on the structure and function of important genes and on studying differences between individuals," said Michael Hunkapiller, Ph.D., president of PE Biosystems and senior vice president of PE Corporation. "The 3100 Genetic Analyzer will bring this underlying technology into the mainstream, enabling a wide range of researchers to pursue greater understanding of complex diseases such as cancer, diabetes and hypertension."

The 3100 Genetic Analyzer also provides a capillary-based alternative to the ABI PRISM(R) 377 DNA Sequencer, the slab-gel-based system that has become a standard research platform in academic and commercial laboratories worldwide. The 3100 Genetic Analyzer, priced in the same range as the 377 DNA Sequencer, is a 16-capillary electrophoresis system that enables customers to perform both sequencing and fragment analysis on a system designed for medium-to-high-throughput needs. The system's walkaway automation allows for 24-hour, unattended operation, delivering greater reduction in labor costs than slab-gel-based systems while increasing capabilities.

The 3100 Genetic Analyzer is the first co-developed product from a collaboration between PE Biosystems and the Instrument Group of Hitachi, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, begun in 1998 to accelerate programs for product development of DNA analysis systems.

"As DNA electrophoresis moves into areas of analysis that require greater validation and consistency, Hitachi's expertise in manufacturing instruments utilized for applications under regulatory control is key in making this system appropriate for these new markets," said Dr. Hunkapiller. "This expertise combined with world-class R&D made Hitachi the ideal partner for developing the 3100 system."

"As part of our underlying philosophy as a company, we are eager to contribute to society and the future development of products that serve mankind," said Mr. Hiroshi Inomata, senior corporate officer, president and CEO of Hitachi Instrument Group. "In that spirit, by joining with PE Biosystems for the development of this product, we are happy this product will enable scientists worldwide to take advantage of this technology. Additionally, we expect that PE Biosystems' excellent distribution and support organization will be key in making this new system quickly productive in laboratories."

This new system is part of the PE Biosystems line of capillary instruments for DNA analysis which was introduced in 1995 with the ABI PRISM(R) 310 Genetic Analyzer, the first commercial capillary sequencer. Another member of this product family is the 96-capillary ABI PRISM(R) 3700 DNA Analyzer system, currently used worldwide by the researchers engaged in the industrial-scale process of analyzing genomic information.

All of PE Biosystems' capillary-based systems of instruments, reagents and software offer walkaway automation, robust operation and high sensitivity. PE Biosystems' electrophoresis systems serve a wide spectrum of researchers ranging from those working in small laboratories to those in production-scale genomics facilities. These systems are also used in non-research applications such as DNA typing and databasing in forensic laboratories.

Hitachi, Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, is one of the world's leading global electronics companies which in fiscal 1998 (ended March 31, 1999) consolidated sales of 7,977 billion yen ($65.9 billion(a)). The company manufactures and markets a wide range of products including genetic analysis and biomedical instruments, computers, semiconductors, consumer products and power and industrial equipment. Electrophoresis-based genetic analysis instrumentation is developed and manufactured through its Instrument Group based in Tokyo with a principal factory in Hitachinaka City. Hitachi has long been a leading provider of instrumentation for research applications and highly regulated markets such as clinical diagnostics. For more information concerning Hitachi, Ltd., visit Hitachi's Internet web site at http//www.hitachi.co.jp.

PE Corporation currently comprises two operating groups. The PE Biosystems Group (NYSE:PEB), with sales of $1.2 billion during fiscal 1999, develops and markets instrument-based systems, reagents, software and contract services to the life science industry and research community. PE Biosystems is headquartered in Foster City, CA, and comprises four divisions: Applied Biosystems, PE Informatics, PerSeptive Biosystems, and Tropix. The Celera Genomics Group (NYSE:CRA), headquartered in Rockville, MD, intends to become the definitive source of genomic and related medical information. Information about the company, including reports and other information filed by the company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, is available on the worldwide web at www.pecorporation.com or by phoning 800/762-6923.

For more information, call 650/554-2581.