FOSTER CITY, Calif., Jul 22, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Applied Biosystems (NYSE:ABI), an Applera Corporation business, today announced the first gene expression analysis product for whole human genome analysis on a single microarray, the Applied Biosystems Expression Array System. The system, based on proprietary chemiluminescent technology, has been designed to detect a greater number of genes, including those expressed at lower levels, with higher sensitivity and specificity than existing technologies while using less biological sample. The new expression array system is expected to ship to customer test sites this fall and be available for commercial release before the end of calendar year 2003.

The Applied Biosystems Expression Array System will be integrated with Applied Biosystems Sequence Detection System (SDS)-based products for gene expression analysis and the Celera Discovery System(SM) online platform. Together, these products are expected to provide an integrated solution for researchers studying changes in human gene expression levels. As a critical tool in understanding biological processes, gene expression analysis allows researchers to monitor the functional differences between normal and diseased states in order to better understand pathophysiology.

"The introduction of the Expression Array System and its integration with other relevant Applied Biosystems products should provide researchers with a seamless solution for gene expression analysis - from whole genome analysis to further quantitation and single gene analysis," said Michael W. Hunkapiller, Ph.D., President of Applied Biosystems. "We believe the combination of Expression Array System and SDS-based products will provide researchers with higher quality results than other available methods. We expect this will lead to significant advances in functional genomics research."

The Applied Biosystems Expression Array System is based on highly sensitive, chemiluminescent technology for gene expression detection and incorporates DNA probes that are each approximately 60 base pairs long. Chemiluminescent detection uses an enzymatic initiated chemical reaction to generate light without the need for a laser. The combination of chemiluminescence and long oligonucleotides is expected to provide higher sensitivity compared with other commercially available microarray products that incorporate shorter oligonucleotide lengths or use fluorescence detection methods. The long oligonucleotides enable tighter binding to the target, which leads to the detection of more genes with greater selectivity and specificity. As a result, customers should be able to detect more genes using less biological sample, which should be a significant advantage for researchers working with small, difficult-to-obtain or expensive samples, such as samples often required for cancer research.

The Applied Biosystems Expression Array System includes, on a single microarray, probes to detect an annotated and fully curated set of more than 30,000 human genes. This high-quality genomic information was derived from data from both public sources and Celera Genomics. Applied Biosystems employed its sophisticated bioinformatics pipeline to design oligonucleotide probes (synthetic DNA) based on these well-defined genes for use on the microarray. In addition to the new microarray, the system comprises the 1700 Chemiluminescent Microarray Analyzer, software, and reagents. To facilitate analysis of results, the system will be shipped with an industry standard database that includes gene acronyms, gene names, cross references for gene identification, gene ontologies, and protein characterization data from the Panther(TM) Protein Classification System. Applied Biosystems will also continually update the annotations with the most current information about the transcripts targeted by the microarray. For a small subscription fee, researchers can obtain further annotated data for their selected gene targets through the Celera Discovery System(SM) online platform.

Applied Biosystems plans to introduce an expression array for the mouse genome early next calendar year and the rat genome sometime thereafter.

Gene expression analysis provides a means for researchers to survey and measure gene activity in various disease populations, stages of disease development, and other defined research conditions. It may also be used for safety assessment of therapeutics and chemical substances in toxicology studies, to validate drug targets, and in pre-clinical drug development research.

A Whole Solution for Gene Expression Analysis

Once microarray results are generated by the Applied Biosystems Expression Array System, researchers can link via the Applied Biosystems Web site to validated, quantitative, ready-to-use probe and primer sets based on TaqMan(R) chemistry. These include the Assays-on-Demand(TM) products and the custom-configured 7900HT Micro Fluidic Card to accommodate size and scale of individual gene expression studies. The Assays-on-Demand(TM) products and 7900HT Micro Fluidic Card facilitate validation of microarray results, absolute quantification of transcripts, and investigation of alternative splicing.

Applied Biosystems also offers services for laboratories interested in outsourcing gene expression analysis projects through its Integrated Laboratory Services Group.

The Celera Discovery System(SM) online platform is a Web-based discovery platform that provides scientists with access to a comprehensive source of integrated, curated and validated biological data, including annotated human and mouse genomes.

About Applera Corporation and Applied Biosystems

Applera Corporation comprises two operating groups. The Applied Biosystems Group develops and markets instrument-based systems, reagents, software, and contract services to the life science industry and research community. Customers use these tools to analyze nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), small molecules, and proteins to make scientific discoveries, develop new pharmaceuticals, and conduct standardized testing. Applied Biosystems is headquartered in Foster City, CA, and reported sales of $1.6 billion during fiscal 2002. The Celera Genomics Group (NYSE:CRA), located in Rockville, MD, and South San Francisco, CA, is engaged principally in integrating advanced technologies to discover and develop new therapeutics. Celera intends to leverage its proteomic, bioinformatic, and genomic capabilities to identify and validate drug targets, and to discover and develop new therapeutics. Its Celera Discovery System(SM) online platform, marketed exclusively through the Applied Biosystems Knowledge Business, is an integrated source of information based on the human genome and other biological and medical sources. Celera Diagnostics, a 50/50 joint venture between Applied Biosystems and Celera Genomics, is focused on discovery, development, and commercialization of novel diagnostic products. Information about Applera Corporation, including reports and other information filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is available at http://www.applera.com, or by telephoning 800.762.6923. Information about Applied Biosystems is available at http://www.appliedbiosystems.com.

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking. These may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "plans," and "should" among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Applera Corporation's current expectations. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for such forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, Applera Corporation notes that a variety of factors could cause actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements. These factors include but are not limited to (1) rapidly changing technology and dependence on the development of new products; (2) ability to integrate the Applied Biosystems 1700 Expression Array System with other Applied Biosystems products and services; (3) Applied Biosystems' dependence on the operation of computer hardware, software, and Internet applications and related technology; (4) unproven use of genomics information to develop or commercialize products; (5) technology performance; (6) claims for patent infringement; and (7) other factors that might be described from time to time in Applera Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and Applera does not undertake any duty to update this information, including any forward-looking statements, unless required by law.

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

ABI PRISM and Applied Biosystems are registered trademarks and AB (Design), Applera, Assays-on-Demand, Celera, Celera Diagnostics, Celera Discovery System, and Celera Genomics are trademarks of Applera Corporation and its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or certain other countries.

SOURCE: Applied Biosystems

CONTACT:
Applied Biosystems
Lori Murray, 650-638-6130 (Media)
murrayla@appliedbiosystems.com
Peter Dworkin, 650-554-2479 (Investors)
dworkipg@applera.com
or
European Media & Investors
David Speechly, Ph.D., +44-207.868.1642
speechdp@eur.appliedbiosystems.com