EpiStem Ltd to Launch RNA-Amp(TM) Kits, for Sensitive Gene Expression Analysis, at American Association for Cancer Research Meeting

MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM--(Marketwire - April 16, 2010) - Epistem plc (LSE: EHP), the UK biotechnology company, will launch their RNA-Amp™ kits for mRNA expression amplification, at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting in Washington DC from April 18-21 2010. The kits have been developed by Epistem's Biomarker division for the amplification of cDNA from biological samples, enabling gene expression analysis and offering a 1000-fold increase in sensitivity compared to standard kits currently available commercially.

Epistem's Research Director, Dr Ged Brady, has over 20 years experience of cDNA amplification technology and has developed the user-friendly kits to allow researchers to rapidly analyse gene expression data from small samples of tissue, including single hairs, 1-200 cells in suspension or small blood samples. Samples of this size would be otherwise difficult to analyse using conventional techniques, but the RNA-Amp™ kit provides accurate and reproducible data and is ideal for use in clinical trials and biomarker studies. The initial product range will include four kits, three of which will be provided for use with specific tissue types and a fourth kit for labelling of cDNA, suitable for whole genome array hybridisation. Each kit can analyse 12 samples and will be available from the end of April 2010 for worldwide shipment to commercial and academic researchers.

For further information on the Company, please visit www.epistem.co.uk.

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About Epistem

Epistem is a biotechnology company commercialising its expertise in epithelial stem cells in the areas of oncology, gastrointestinal diseases and dermatological applications. Epistem develops innovative therapeutics and biomarkers and provides contract research services to drug development companies. The Group's expertise is focused on the regulation of adult stem cells located in epithelial tissue, which includes the gastrointestinal tract, skin, hair follicles, breast and prostate. Epistem does not conduct research in the areas of embryonic stem cells or stem cell transplantation. The Company was originally formed in 2000 and this year celebrates its 10 year anniversary.

Epistem operates three distinct business divisions, Contract Research Services, Novel Therapies and Biomarkers. The Biomarker division provides services to drug development companies using its cDNA amplification technology and expertise in gene expression analysis. The Company's knowledge of the behaviour of epithelial cells and drug-induced gene expression change is used to measure drug effects during treatment. Changes in gene expression can be detected within hours and at low levels of chemotherapy or radiation. The highly sensitive Biomarker technology is based on the analysis of mRNA extracted from small amounts of blood or tissue to accurately measure gene expression changes in response to treatment.