FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 20, 2004--

Applied Biosystems Group (NYSE:ABI), an Applera Corporation business, today announced the commercial availability of a new multiplexed reagent that simplifies proteomics and biomarker discovery workflows. The iTRAQ(TM) Reagents allow researchers to simultaneously measure expression profiles of multiple samples, such as normal versus diseased versus drug-treated states in a single experiment. These reagents, for use with Applied Biosystems mass spectrometry systems, will be introduced at the American Society for Mass Spectrometry Conference in Nashville, Tenn., May 23-27, 2004.

With the introduction of these reagents, Applied Biosystems expands its family of chemistries for protein identification and quantitation. The ICAT(R) Reagents, introduced in 2001, represented the first quantitative labeling strategy for protein expression analysis using LC/MS approaches (ESI and MALDI) with a specific focus on quantifying only proteins that contained the amino acid cysteine. Using the iTRAQ(TM) reagents, researchers can now label all peptides, leading to broader protein and proteome coverage with the ability to detect post-translational modifications, and to compare four samples in the same experiment. These reagents simplify the performance of proteomics experiments, such as time course studies or expression profiling studies for putative biomarkers.

"To elucidate even relatively simple cellular pathways, researchers need to draw comparisons between normal versus disease states to clearly understand up or down regulation of proteins," said Michael W. Hunkapiller, Ph.D., President of Applied Biosystems. "With the introduction of the iTRAQ(TM) reagents, investigators, for the first time, can simultaneously identify and determine relative and absolute quantity of proteins across multiple samples."

The reagents have been extensively tested at key worldwide labs, including the University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, and OSI Pharmaceuticals Inc., New York, U.S.A.

"One of the biggest advantages is the ability to analyze multiple peptides simultaneously to gain confidence in identification and expression values," said Robert Olafson, Ph.D., University of Victoria and Director of the Genome BC Proteome Centre. "By running multiple samples in a single experiment, we can expand the range of our possible experiments while reducing our costs."

"With iTRAQ(TM) reagents, we identified a large number of down-regulated peptides, indicating that the protein target was indeed being influenced by our drug candidate. With the ability to compare multiple samples in a single run, this entire process was significantly more efficient when compared to existing technologies," said John Haley, Ph.D., Senior Director of Exploratory Cancer Research at OSI Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Additionally, Applied Biosystems introduced its Pro QUANT Software for automated analysis of LC/MS data resulting from expression analysis with iTRAQ(TM) reagents. This software features automatic data processing, including quantitation, protein identification and reporting in real-time or batch mode. An integrated solution for quantitative biology, it also provides direct access to biologically relevant information by linking protein information with the Celera Discovery System(TM) online platform's comprehensive, annotated genomic database and the Panther(TM) protein database.

The iTRAQ reagents are compatible with the QSTAR(R) and Q TRAP(R) family of LC/MS/MS systems. iTRAQ reagents and Pro QUANT Software will become available on the Applied Biosystems 4700 Proteomics Analyzer during summer 2004.

ASMS and Applied Biosystems Related Events

Applied Biosystems/MDS SCIEX, a joint venture between Applera Corporation and MDS Inc., will host its annual users' meeting on Sunday, May 23, 2004, from 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. EDT in the Presidential Ballroom at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tenn. Leaders from industry, as well as scientists from Applied Biosystems, will discuss strategies for quantitating target proteins, advances in metabolite quantitation and identification, complementary techniques for post-translational modification analysis, and molecular imaging with MALDI MS. Outside speakers include Richard Caprioli, Ph.D., of Vanderbilt University. To register for users' meeting, please visit http://info.appliedbiosystems.com/asms2004. This meeting will not be webcast.

The iTRAQ(TM) reagents and Pro QUANT software will be discussed and demonstrated at ASMS May 23-27, 2004, at booth number 53. Pro QUANT software demonstrations will be given to customers and press upon request. Applied Biosystems and its collaborators will present data on mass spectrometry research in more than 80 scientific oral and poster presentations.

About Applera Corporation and Applied Biosystems

Applera Corporation consists of two operating groups. The Applied Biosystems Group serves the life science industry and research community by developing and marketing instrument-based systems, consumables, software, and services. 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, Calif., and reported sales of $1.7 billion during fiscal 2003. The Celera Genomics Group (NYSE:CRA), located in Rockville, Md., and South San Francisco, Calif., 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(TM) online platform, marketed exclusively by Applied Biosystems, 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; and (2) 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.

Applied Biosystems is a registered trademark and AB (Design), Applera, Celera, Celera Diagnostics, Celera Discovery System, Celera Genomics, iTRAQ, and Panther are trademarks of Applera Corporation and its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or certain other countries.

ICAT is a trademark of the University of Washington in the US and certain other countries, licensed to the Applied Biosystems Group of Applera Corporation.

CONTACT:
Applied Biosystems Group
Lori Murray, 650-638-6130 (Media)
murrayla@appliedbiosystems.com
Linda Greub, 650-554-2349 (Investors)
greublm@appliedbiosystems.com
David Speechly, Ph.D., (+) 44.207.868.1642 (European
Media and Investors)
speechdp@eur.appliedbiosystems.com

SOURCE: Applied Biosystems Group