Tecan Has a Major Presence at AACC 2003 and Announces Two New Product Introductions.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers/High-Tech Writers

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. & PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 22, 2003

Tecan US, a leader in the Life Sciences supply industry, today had a major presence at AACC 2003, the pre-eminent industry meeting for clinical diagnostics. Two new products were showcased at the company's state-of-the-art booth including a new Tube Inspection Unit, TIU for the Genesis FE500 Workcell, and the launch of Freedom EVO, a platform for a number of solutions in Clinical Diagnostics which meet worldwide regulatory requirements.

Sharing an exhibit booth with Tecan Systems of San Jose, CA, Tecan US unveiled automation solutions for diagnostics, proteomics, genomics and drug discovery, while Tecan Systems showcased its contract manufacturing and R&D services as well as its OEM liquid handling and robotic components. Tecan also announced an important partnership with GE Medical Systems for Tecan's Genesis FE500 Workcell, bringing together Tecan's leading-edge automation with GE Medical System's stellar reputation for customer service.

Carl Severinghaus, President of Tecan US stated, "We are proud to be at AACC exhibiting jointly with our San Jose counterpart, Tecan Systems, the world's leading OEM supplier of automated liquid handling products for manufacturers of laboratory instrumentation. Our combined presence at this key industry meeting underscores our joint commitment to deliver unique laboratory robotics and software solutions. Tecan is pleased with our clinical diagnostics partnership with GE Medical systems for the FE500 and our launch of the TIU and the Freedom EVO, demonstrating flexibility, compliance and speed to keep clinicians at the leading edge of clinical diagnostics."

The combined presence of Tecan US with Tecan Systems plus the introduction of the following two new products was a major draw to Tecan's exhibit booth:

-- Genesis FE500 Workcell's Tube Inspection Unit - This new

feature can scan the whole length of the tube to measure the

exact liquid volume. The TIU enables detection directly

through the tube label, eliminating the need for a window on

the tube. This unique product features reliable identification

of different separation layers along with a unique

"see-through" capability with a built-in optical laser beam

that can penetrate up to three barcode labels. Another

important attribute is the ability to identify each separation

layer despite overlapping labels.

-- Freedom EVO - A new, state-of-the-art, flexible and scalable

platform that consolidates 20 years of Tecan's liquid handling

and automation experience, designed to answer the growing

needs of today's clinical diagnostics, genomics, proteomics

and drug discovery laboratory. The Freedom EVO platform forms

the basis for solutions for ELISA, Sample Distribution,

Pooling and Blood Typing and meets worldwide regulatory

requirements including the EU IVD directive, and provides

comprehensive support for customers implementing the FDA's 21

CFR part 11 regulation. Freedom EVO's modular design enables

each system to be configured to meet the customer's specific

needs, and its compact size saves lab space with below-table

access to a centrifuge or analytical instrument with extra

long robotic manipulators.

About Tecan

Tecan (www.tecan.com) is a leading player in the Life Sciences supply industry that specializes in the development, production, and distribution of solutions enabling the discovery of pharmaceutical substances, as well as for genomics, proteomics, and diagnostics. Tecan clients are leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, university research departments and diagnostic laboratories. Founded in Switzerland in 1980, the company has manufacturing, research and development sites in both North America and Europe and maintains a sales and service network in 52 countries. In 2002, Tecan achieved sales of CH 332.2 million (USD 212.9 million; EUR 226.0 million). Registered shares of Tecan Group are traded on the SWX Swiss Exchange (TK: TECN / Reuters: TECZn.S / Valor : 1210019).

About Tecan Systems

Tecan Systems (www.tecansystems.com), formerly known as Cavro Scientific Instruments, Inc., is the world's leading OEM supplier of automated liquid handling products for manufacturers of laboratory instrumentation. Products include highly precise syringe pumps, complete robot systems for laboratory automation and application development software. Tecan Systems also offers customized engineering and manufacturing solutions under an ISO 9001 certified and QSR compliant quality system.