Weidmann Plastics Technology and Micronics Form Microfluidic Products Alliance.

Business Editors

REDMOND, Wash. & RAPPERSWIL, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 12, 2002

Microfabrication Capabilities of Weidmann Plastics Technology

Enable Lab-on-a-Chip Applications

Micronics, Inc. and Weidmann Plastics Technology AG announced today that they have entered into a joint product development and co-promotion agreement and a letter of intent for a supply agreement in which the combination of their respective microfluidic and microfabrication expertise offers new product solutions to their clients in the life sciences sector.

Microfluidics is the ability to move, mix, pump and control fluids on a microscopic level. Researchers in industry, government and academia are applying microfluidic technologies in such applications as protein separation, drug development, diagnostics, and environmental monitoring. The use of microfluidic-based lab chips has been shown to enable researchers to perform chemical and sample reactions faster, less expensively, and with less handling than traditional assay and sample preparation formats.

Microfabrication is the ability to produce fine features of submicron dimensions in high quality, optically clear materials using unique manufacturing processes. Microfabrication techniques further enable the commercialization of disposable lab-on-a-chip devices as well as hybrid components for drug discovery that complement the growing need to reduce the volumes of reagents and samples used in diverse medical and scientific applications.

The newly formed alliance between Micronics and Weidmann creates a strong combined portfolio of technologies, skills and services of substantial benefit to the clients that each company serves. Together, the companies provide complete value-added processes, including custom design, product development, rapid prototyping and commercial production of microfluidic devices.

"Partnering with Weidmann provides Micronics and our clients with the commercial production expertise our customers need when their lab-on-a-chip products and other fluidic devices require exquisitely small, injection molded features," said Karen Hedine, president of Micronics. "Weidmann's established reputation as an international development partner and supplier of high quality, injection molded components allows us to offer our clients a quality-oriented, commercial volume manufacturing source."

Dr. Thomas Wilhelm, President of Weidmann Plastic Technology AG said, "Micronics' extensive patent estate in microfluidics and its specialized ability to provide rapid prototyping of novel disposable products, gives Weidmann extended resources of value to its clients prior to commercial scale up. We believe that the life sciences sector will continue to demand products of the type that Micronics and Weidmann can jointly develop, prototype and produce."

Micronics, Inc.

Based in Redmond, Washington, Micronics is a leading provider of custom-designed microfluidics based lab-on-a-chip devices, including DNA/RNA, PCR, SPR and bead based products for use in life sciences, genomics, proteomics, diagnostics, drug discovery and analytical chemistry markets. Micronics' proprietary technologies expand the boundaries of miniaturization in microfluidics, enabling faster chemical reactions of complex fluids at considerable cost, labor and time savings. The company's unique technology platform allows lab-on-a-chip sample preparation, chemical separation and analysis, miniaturized cellular analysis, and the analysis of whole blood and other complex fluids. Visit www.micronics.net for more information on microfluidics technology.

Weidmann Plastics Technology AG

Weidmann Plastics Technology AG is a Swiss-based injection-molding plastics processor with more than $100 Million total annual sales, subsidiaries in Germany, France, the US and Brazil and is part of the worldwide, family-owned Wicor Group. With more than 70 years' experience in injection-molding, Weidmann Plastics Technology has developed a range of unique and innovative technologies for leading customers in the Automotive, Medical, Sensor and Sanitary Industries. Highly sophisticated combinations of product technologies, production processes and plastics integrated with other materials have made Weidmann one of the leading innovators for these dynamic industries, providing performance-enhancing solutions worldwide. The company's advanced processing techniques in multicomponent molding and microfluidic/micro-optical technologies allow the creation of systems with a complexity not previously attainable. Complete in-house capabilities from part and tooling design, prototyping, mold making, part manufacturing, quality control and testing to packaging and logistics allow fast, reliable and efficient one-stop-shopping for Weidmann's clients. Please visit www.weidmann-plastics.com for more detailed information.