UPPSALA, Sweden, April 15, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Pyrosequencing AB (Stockholm: PYRO A) today announced the worldwide launch of the PSQ(tm)HS 96A System - based on proven Pyrosequencing(tm) technology. This new system significantly reduces costs for accurate single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and mutation analysis. A highly sensitive light detector is used to monitor Pyrosequencing reactions minimizing the amount of sample and reagent required per assay and therefore reducing the cost per accurate result. The automated system can analyze over 10,000 SNP and mutation samples within 24 hours and is the second major product launch from Pyrosequencing this year.
Productivity is enhanced by the ability to perform multiplex genotyping. Furthermore, the inclusion of integrated robotics and a ten-plate stacker (96-well format) delivers up to two hours of unattended operation. The robustness of Pyrosequencing technology, together with the provision of sequence context information, ensures accurate results from a single reaction eliminating the need to repeat assays.
System capabilities include automatic multiplex genotyping of polymorphisms such as SNPs, point mutations and insertion/deletions (InDels) as well as the analysis of multiple SNPs on a short stretch of DNA and tri- and tetra-allelic polymorphisms.
"The launch of two new systems already this year is indicative of Pyrosequencing's ability to rapidly commercialize products that meet the evolving needs of customers," stated Erik Wallden, President and CEO of Pyrosequencing AB. "This characteristic speed to market is a key differentiator of Pyrosequencing and allows us to maintain our leadership as a major supplier of solutions enabling efficient Applied Genetic Analysis," he concluded.
In March 2002, Pyrosequencing expanded its product portfolio with the introduction of the PSQ(tm)96MA System, ideally suited for a broad range of applications within Applied Genomics. The Company's original PSQ(tm)96 System has an installed base of over 150 systems worldwide. Pyrosequencing also provides high-throughput genotyping solutions with a 384-well format, currently available through an early access Preferred Technology Program (PTP(tm)).
About Pyrosequencing AB
Pyrosequencing AB develops, manufactures and sells complete solutions for rapid applied genetic analysis based on its proprietary Pyrosequencing(tm) technology, a simple-to-use DNA sequencing technique. Pyrosequencing leads the global market in Applied Genomics with over 150 systems sold to major pharmaceutical and biotech companies and prestigious research institutions worldwide.
Pyrosequencing technology is broadly applicable for the analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and for the identification and quantification of short DNA sequences used in bacterial and viral typing. The Company's Molecular Diagnostics Business is establishing collaborations with industry leaders to identify new product opportunities in disease diagnosis, clinical prognosis and pharmacogenomics.
The Company's products include the bench-top PSQ(tm)96, PSQ(tm)96MA and PSQ(tm)HS 96A Systems and a high-throughput PTP(tm) System, all of which utilize proprietary software and reagent kits. Among Pyrosequencing's customers are AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Schering-Plough, the NIH, the CDC, the Harvard Center for Cancer Prevention, Yale University, the Karolinska Institute, Biogen, Oxagen, Ltd., NASA and DuPont Agriculture. The Company's Web address is www.pyrosequencing.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," and "anticipate," among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Pyrosequencing'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, Pyrosequencing 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. Such uncertainties and risks include, but are not limited to, risks associated with management of growth and international operations (including the effects of currency fluctuations), variability of operating results, the commercial development of the DNA sequencing and genomics market, nucleic acid-based molecular diagnostics market, and genetic vaccination and gene therapy markets, competition, rapid or unexpected changes in technologies, fluctuations in demand for Pyrosequencing's products (including seasonal fluctuations), difficulties in successfully adapting the Company's products to integrated solutions and producing such products, and the Company's ability to identify and develop new products and to differentiate its products from competitors.
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